Why is Tyre Pressure Important?
Having properly-inflated tyres on your vehicle is important for several reasons – for one, it keeps you safe on the road and reduces the risk of a tyre-related accident. Keeping your tyres at the right pressure also helps to reduce your fuel costs, gives you the longest life possible out of your tyres and improves handling.
Under-inflated tyres:
Under-inflated tyres are liable to overheat when in use which can lead to tyre failure long before the tyre would normally need replacing.
Over-inflated tyres:
Over-inflated tyres cause uneven tread wear and can have a negative affect on the handling of your car. Take a look at the tread on your tyres – if one side is more worn down than the other, it could indicate uneven wear due to over-inflated tyres.
Properly-inflated tyres:
A properly inflated tyre copes far better with potholes, bumps, high speeds and all those little day-to-day knocks that your tyres have to deal with! Incorrectly-inflated tyres are more likely to fail when subjected to a small impact like kerbing, causing you unecessary cost that could have been avoided by checking your tyre pressure. Your tyres will last much longer when kept at the right pressure for your vehicle and the load you’re carrying, getting the best out of each tyre fitted to your car and saving you money (and saving the environment, too!). When your tyres are under- or over-inflated, your tyres will also require more power to maintain the same speeds as a properly-inflated tyre, draining your fuel much faster than needed and costing you more in the long run.
How to get the right tyre pressure:
Check the right tyre pressure for your vehicle in your handbook, on the strip inside the driver door, or inside your fuel filler flap. Tyre pressures should be adjusted for the seasons and if you are carrying a heavy load – these alterations should be listed in your handbook so make sure you take note accordingly.
Always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold and not directly after you’ve been driving. When tyres are heated up by use, they will not give an accurate pressure reading due to expansion of air inside the tyre. Use a hand-held pressure gauge and manual pump, or visit a garage or petrol station that has an automatic air machine which will be able to tell you your tyre pressure digitally. When adjusting your tyre pressure, make sure you secure the valve cap properly afterwards and give the whole tyre a once-over check to make sure there are no obvious cuts, bulges or embedded objects. Tyre manufacturers advise that you check your tyre pressure every 2-4 weeks – and don’t forget your spare tyre! You don’t want to get caught with a flat only to find that your spare tyre needs pumping up!
Grippy’s mobile tyre fitting teams can help you if you need replacement tyres at home, at work or on the road – just give us a call to find out how much we can save you on new tyres, or if you have a question or need help with your tyres.