Lot of drivers confused if they should be inflating their tyres according to the maximum PSI (pounds per square inch) listed on the sidewall. However, when it comes to the right tyre pressure, the maximum is not the Best.
Overinflating your tyres will give you a bouncy ride and an ill-handling car, while driving on underinflated tyres can cause premature wear from increased friction. Either way, not having your tyres inflated to their recommended pressure will negatively affect tyre wear and vehicle performance and will definitely affect your maintenance schedule when it comes to replacing them. For getting good gas mileage, smooth, safe rides and long-lasting tyres, it’s important to find the right tyre pressure for your vehicle.
Your car has a recommended tyre pressure that will give the best gas mileage, handling and tyre life for that car and it’s written right on the vehicle’s door. That’s the one you should follow when filling them up with air to the recommended pressure, measured in pounds per square inch, or psi.
On newer cars, the recommended tyre pressure is most commonly
listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If there’s no sticker on the door, you can usually find the specs in the owner’s manual. Most passenger cars will recommend 32 psi to 35 psi in the tyres when they’re cold.
The reason you check tire pressure when they’re cold is that as tyres roll along the road, friction between them and the road generates heat, increasing both the temperature and the air pressure. For the
most accurate reading (not to mention the most consistent one), make sure the car has been sitting overnight or at least has been parked for a few hours.
Do not inflate your tyres to the pressure listed on the tyre itself. That number is the maximum pressure the tyre can hold, not the recommended pressure for the vehicle.
The arrival of summer, your tyre pressure will experience changes. Risk of road hazards due to over or under-inflated tyres are more. Tyre pressure in summer must be continuously monitored to avoid untoward incidents.
The reason we are emphasizing on summers is that tyre pressure
fluctuates the most in summers. Therefore, drivers need to be extra vigilant while driving in the summer months. A change of 12°C means that the tyres will lose or gain 1 PSI (pound per square inch). Therefore, if the tyre pressure is not correct, you can expect a lot of problems in your driving.
On the other hand, a properly inflated tyre will improve your fuel
efficiency, handling, braking distance, responsiveness, and give you an overall comfortable ride. The opposite happens if the correct tyre pressure is not maintained.
Things are happened when a tire is
underinflated or overinflated
UNDER INFLATED TyRE
An underinflated tyre means that more surface of the tyre is in contact with the road. It will slow down your car and negatively
impact your fuel economy. Moreover, underinflated tyres decrease the lifespan of the tyres, meaning that you will have to invest in new tyres again.
OVER INFLATED TyRE
When a tyre is overinflated, less surface area comes in contact with the road. It causes the tyre to wear down quickly and unevenly. Apart from this, the driving experience becomes rigid, while the responsiveness and braking are negatively impacted as well.
CORRECT TyRE PRESSURE
Newer cars, the recommended tyre pressure is most commonly
listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If there’s no sticker on the door, you can usually find the specs in the owner’s manual. It will tell you the maximum tire pressure, according to the manufacturer. Please keep in mind that many cars have different tire pressures for front and back axles.
Under no circumstances should the pressure be increased to the maximum level as it can cause a tire burst. While driving, the
tyre heats up, causing the air inside the air to expand. Therefore, if the tyre is already at the maximum level, then it will burst.
Another way to identify that the tyres pressure is optimal is through
the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Many modern cars come with TPMS, which alerts you when tire pressure is below the recommended level.
Experts recommend checking the tyre pressure in the morning as the tire temperature is at the lowest then. At that time, the tire pressure should be 2-4 PSI less than the maximum level. If you have driven the car, let the car rest for a few hours, before checking the pressure. Also, make sure that the vehicle is not directly parked in the sun, or the pavement is not too hot.
Conclusion
Continuously monitoring your tyres pressure is a safeguard against serious injury and other mishaps. Therefore, make sure that you keep an eye on your tyre pressure and ensure that the pressure is correct at all times.
You should never drive around with tyre pressure that is too low or high. It will damage your vehicle tyre and probably the rim and also your car will also require more fuel because it won’t roll as easily as with the right pressure. It’s also dangerous because you will have a lot less control of the car at higher speeds. It’s always better to have slightly higher pressure. Lesser pressure can be good if you are looking for more grip at lower speeds. Vehicle tyre should be properly maintained in summer to avoid accidents.
I hope you enjoyed this short guide. If you have any more questions that didn’t get answered, you can contact us.
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