So... what IS the Importance of keeping good tyre pressure?

If you’re at all like me – or at least, how I used to be – you’d have heard that it’s important to keep good tire pressure with your car. But how many of you actually know exactly how important it is?

Tyre pressure is a critical element of everyday vehicle maintenance, and it’s something you can (and should!) do yourself. As always, we’re here to tell you why and how.

Low Tyre Pressure

Haven’t topped up in a few months? Be careful – your tyre pressure might be starting to get low! Low tire pressure is dangerous, because having low pressure can adversely affect braking distances and the steering/handling of your car. Not only this, but low tyre pressure allows the tires to flex and distort, generating heat which in turn accelerates tire wear & tear by as much as 25%. Don’t risk your tyres to a major blowout!

As well as this, you’ll find your fuel economy going down too; low pressure tyres have a higher rolling resistance, which means you’ll need extra engine power to turn the tyre. This can go down by up to 5-10%!

High Tyre Pressure

On the flipside, having high tyre pressure has a multitude of issues associated with it as well. High pressure tyres are more susceptible to punctures and impacts, increasing wear & tear. The center of the tread often gets worn out much faster on overinflated tires, which is a danger to handling and safety. Plus, on high pressure tyres, you’ll have less impact resistance which means a bumpier ride!

The majority of modern tyres are designed to withstand excess pressure more than older tyres, but it’s still a risk to both your safety and your wallet!

How do you check your tyre pressure?

So, you may start to think to yourself; “Oh gee, that sounds dangerous. How do I make sure I’m not at risk?”

That’s a fantastic question, but it’s easier than you may think!

The first step is to find a tyre pressure gauge – these can be digital or analogue, but digital is easier and more accurate. Grabbing one of these is easy (any decent auto parts store should have plenty!) and won’t set you back anything over $50. We even have a few to choose from here!

Once you’ve got that, we can get to work! Before you get started though, remember that tyre pressure should always be checked when the car hasn’t been driven in a few hours for a better reading.

• Firstly, you need to find the recommended pressure by your car manufacturer. A quick Google search should yield solid results, or you can have a quick look in your car manual.
• Second, remove the end caps on the valve stems of your tyres. These are the little rubber screw caps found on the inner ring of the tyre. Don’t lose them!
• Thirdly, place the tyre pressure gauge inside the valve stem, pressing down firmly to get the reading. Don’t forget to replace the end caps when you’re done.

Now what?

If your tyres are at the recommended pressure level, you’re good to go! But if not, then…

• If your tyres are overinflated, push the valve in the valve stem in to let out some of the excess air.
• If your tyres are underinflated, inflate them back up ASAP! This can be done at home if you have an air compressor, or can be done at petrol stations almost everywhere!

This should be done at least once a month, but ideally every week to fortnight depending on the age of your tyres. Do make sure to check your tyre pressure before any big trips, and be sure to check your spare tyre as well!

What is the TPMS?

But wait! My car has a TPMS, I don’t have to do this, right?

No!

The TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) is a digital monitor that is designed to alert you if your tyres are significantly underinflated. This does not help you for most over/underinflation issues, only when it has become a significant danger. There are still dangers to over/underinflated tyres that the TPMS won’t pick up, such as increased wear & tear, loss in fuel economy, and impacted stability. You can still get a blowout even if the TPMS says you’re fine!

Having a TPMS can definitely help, and it’s not a bad thing to have. A lot of modern cars nowadays have them pre-installed. But regardless, you should still check your tyres yourself just as often!

Additional Tips & Tricks

• As mentioned earlier, always check your tyre pressure before embarking on a long road trip of any sort. You don’t want an issue when you’re out on holiday, and additional weight of luggage or extra passengers for a prolonged period of time can cause issues as well.
• You may want to increase your tyre pressure for carrying heavy loads or towing, but ONLY DO THIS IF RECOMMENDED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER
• Do not use the tyre pressure indicated on the wall of your tyre. This pressure is NOT the pressure recommended for your specific car!
• Rotate the tyres and get your wheel alignment checked regularly to reduce wear & tear and increase the lifespan of your tyres. This is harder to do by yourself, but make sure it’s done when you get your service!
• Make sure to account for the temperature of your tyres when you’re checking the tyre pressure! Hot tyres can result in an increased tyre pressure of 3-8 psi which can throw things off, so always check the pressure once the tyres are cool and the car hasn’t been driven for a little while.

Have any further questions? Feel free to give us a call at (03) 9791 5590 or email us at sales@ozgeneralstore.com.au if you want to know more a