In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often overlook the unsung heroes beneath our vehicles—the tires. These rubber companions bear the weight of our journeys, navigating us through smooth highways and challenging terrains. Yet, how often do we consider tire pressure's pivotal role in ensuring a safe and enduring ride?
Tire pressure, often underestimated, is the unsung guardian of a tire's functionality and lifespan. Contrary to popular belief, kicking a tire or a fleeting glance won't unveil the truth about your tire's well-being. To truly grasp the condition of your tires, one must embrace the simplicity and effectiveness of a tire pressure gauge.
Understanding the fluctuating nature of tire pressure is crucial. As tires warm up during a drive, the air inside also warms up, leading to pressure changes.
How to Use a Tire Pressure Gauge
The amount of air in your tire is referred to as tire pressure. This figure is essential to a tire’s functionality and lifespan. Tires that are correctly inflated last longer and are safer when driving. Unfortunately, you can't tell whether the tire pressure is appropriate for the tires without actually measuring it. Contrary to popular belief, kicking or looking at a tire won’t tell you the truth. A tire pressure gauge is the only way to know if your tire is properly inflated.
Why Does Tire Pressure Change?
Tire pressure is not a constant because many factors can impact air pressure. As tires warm up, the air inside the tire warms up, so the air pressure changes. The opposite happens when your tires cool down. As the air inside the tire gets colder, either from being parked or due to weather, the air pressure inside the tire goes down. Keeping your tire pressure as close to the manufacturer’s recommendations will make the tires safer and last longer.
What Are the Dangers of Driving on Improperly Inflated Tires?
Underinflated and overinflated tires are unsafe to drive on—low pressures impact braking distance and steering efficiency. Underinflated tires generate more heat than properly inflated tires, which makes tire tread wear faster. Most blowouts on the road occur from underinflated tires. Overinflated tires wear out quicker, so you must replace tires sooner than expected. You’ll also have a rougher ride. The Autel complete TPMS tool can help you manage tire pressure to be safe wherever you drive.
How To Check Tire Pressure and Refill Tires
You’ll need a tire pressure gauge and air compressor to check your tire pressure. Tire experts often recommend a digital tire gauge instead of a standard one, but both will get the job done. Look up the manufacturer’s recommended PSI for your tires and vehicle. Ideally, you want to measure the PSI when the tires are cold or haven’t been running for at least 3 hours.
One at a time, remove the tire’s valve cap. Place the pressure gauge on the stem. Press down hard to get the indicator to give you a reading. You shouldn’t hear any hiss from the valve. If you’re using a standard gauge, a bar will come out of the bottom of the indicator. With a digital meter, you’ll see the reading on the screen. Use the air compressor to fill the tire to the recommended PSI. It’s often easier to overfill the tires and then measure again after letting some air out.
How Often Should You Check Tire Pressure?
Tire pressure on passenger vehicles should be checked monthly. If you make a point to check tire pressure at the first of each month, you’ll get the best results. Commercial vehicles should check tire pressure weekly, but many shops contain tire pressure more often to keep tires healthy. Inspect your tires for defects and uneven wear when you check tire pressure. This tire pressure monitoring system tool may help you stay on top of tire pressure and other vehicle systems.
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