3 Tire Pressure Tips

As you know, it is always imperative to keep a close eye on the air pressure in your tires. The temperature outside and the temperature of the ground can make your tire pressure fluctuate, which inevitably affects how your vehicle drives. With that being said, let’s talk about the ins and outs of tire pressure. We have some tips to help make tire pressure easy for you to manage all year round.

Tip 1: AVOID inflating your tires to the pressure listed on the tire.

Yes, your tire can hold that much air without exploding. However, you should always reference your door jamb to see how much air pressure you should use in your tires. For most cars, this is between 28-35 psi. (If your tire doesn’t explode due to holding too much pressure, it could wear out the center quickly making it necessary for you to purchase new tires.)

On the side of safety, you will also lose a fair bit of ability to control your vehicle. When your tire is filled to its maximum capacity, braking and turning is made more difficult and puts you and others at more of a risk for an accident.

Tip 2: Check your tires with a tire pressure gauge.

Let’s face it – it’s not always possible for us to drive to a gas station and check our tire pressure as often as we should. Learning how to check tire pressure with a tire gauge could save you a lot of hassle and from trouble in the future. To do this, you will need a tire pressure gauge, pen and paper, and an air compressor. From there, complete the following…

·        Check tires while they are cold (after they have sat)

·        Check the PSI recommended on your driver’s side door jamb

·        Write down each tire’s pressure

·        Fill to recommended PSI

·        Repeat monthly, or every 10 degree change in temperature

Tip 3: Put air in your tires before/after pumping gas.

Almost all gas stations provide a station for you to put air into your tires. Some of these stations are free, and some require payment (by card or quarters). For those who haven’t used them, these can seem daunting, but they are simple. There are instructions on, “how to put air in tires” on these machines, and we have some instructions, too…

·        Pull up to air pump

·        Check door jamb and remove valve cap from each of your tires

·        Place the gauge from the pump firmly into the valve stem of the tire (if you hear a hiss, you’ll need to press down harder)

·        Inflate tires to the needed pressure

·        Replace valve cap and repeat

Learning how to put air in your tires and how to check your tire pressure can be a difficult task if you haven’t done it in the past. Highland Tire is here to help.