A car’s tyres are one of its toughest and most-used components, as they’re in constant contact with the road and liable to suffer damage from potholes, rocks and other dangers. Yet it’s pretty easy to do some routine tyre checks such as tyre pressure and ensure you get as many kilometres out of the tyres as you should. Common questions we get at Jim’s Mobile Tyres is how often you should check your tyres’ pressure and what the recommended tyre pressure is.
It’s important to maintain the correct tyre pressure for several reasons. If a tyre is underinflated or overinflated, it can affect the handling and safety of your vehicle. With underinflated tyres, you may notice the car pulling to one side, the steering wheel shaking, or the car has difficult braking safely.
If tyres aren’t maintained at the correct pressure, they are also more likely to wear quicker than they should, as certain parts of the tyre such as the walls will be touching the road. Even with modern tyres, once damage occurs to a tyre’s walls, the tyre needs to be replaced, as repairs are not possible. Driving a car with the incorrect tyre pressures will also impact the amount of fuel that the vehicle uses, adding unnecessary costs to your monthly bills. A simple tyre check can save you money and improve your vehicle’s safety.
Are you wondering how often to check your tyre pressure? It’s advisable to check the pressure of your tyres every week or two, which can be done at most service stations which offer tyre-inflation facilities. It’s also possible to buy portable tyre gauges at auto stores which you can use anytime and anywhere to check the tyre. It’s also a good idea to check the tyre pressures when the car and tyres are cold, that is, after the car has been parked for more than three hours or if it’s been driven less than 2km at a modest speed.
But what’s the correct tyre pressure?
Tyre pressures will sometimes be different for the front and back tyres, so it’s a good idea to check in your car’s manual or on the information plate that is usually fastened to the door jamb on the driver’s door. Here, you will find the suggested tyre pressure for your specific vehicle – as the correct or ‘normal’ tyre pressure varies depending on the make and model of your car.
Tyres will generally lose around one or two PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure per month; if the tyre goes down by more than this then it is possible there is a slow leak, which should be checked so that it doesn’t cause further issues which can affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
While you’re checking the pressure of your tyres, it’s also a good idea to inspect them for other issues. Most modern tyres include wear indicators which will help you determine when the tread has worn down and the tyres should be replaced; if the tread is level with the indicator, it’s likely a good time to think about investing in a new set. You should also check the tyres for any damage, such as to the tread or to the walls; while the tread can often be repaired in the case of a puncture, damage to the walls (sides) of a tyre are unable to be fixed.
If you have any questions or concerns about maintaining your tyres, please contact Jim’s Mobile Tyres and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.
