When you drive, you will want all the parts and components to work as efficiently as they can. The tires on your car are rated to have so much air in them in order to run smoothly down the road. The pressure it should be at is stated on the numbers along the outside of the tire. If you ever have a question as to what your pressure should be, ask a technician and they will explain it to you. This way you can make sure that the tires are inflated to the proper amount that you need to drive.
An Ideal time to check the Pressure
The tire pressure should be checked each time you have the oil changed. It is also a good idea to have it checked before you head out on the road for a long trip. When the air is correct then you do not have to worry as much about picking up something that could puncture the tire or uneven wear for the long trip. Checking the tire pressure can also be a way to increase your gas mileage. The better your tires are inflated, the easier they can travel across the surface of the road. The easier they travel, the less gas you burn up with the engine working. If you do not have the tire pressure tool or an air compressor to fill up the tires, then you should just have the service center do it when they do maintenance. They can do it in a matter of minutes and don’t have to buy any tools since they will already have them on hand. Even though it seems like a simple task, do not skip over doing it because failure to have inflated tires can be disastrous.
Low Tire Pressure can cause Issues
Besides looking like you have a low tire, the inadequate pressure inside can cause problems for your tires. A low tire is susceptible to having a nail or something else puncture it more easily than if it was fully inflated. The fuller it is, it will make it harder for something to stick through and pop it. A tire that is too low will also wear out faster than one that is filled correctly. The tread will wear off and it could cause uneven wear on the tires depending on their location.
Check the Tire Pressure on Your Own
There are a couple of ways to check the tire pressure yourself. You will need a tool that measures the psi (pounds per square inch) to get an accurate reading of the air inside the tire. If the tire pressure is low, then you will need to have an air compressor or be by one so that you can fill up on the air and check the levels again to make sure they are accurate. To check the air, remove the air cap and press the air pressure tool in over the stem. Press down directly and firmly until the sticks pops out with the psi reading. If the reading matches what your tires say they should be at, you are all set. Make sure to check all four tires. If you have one that is low, simply press the air compressor over and fill with air slowly until you are at the right level. Check frequently if you haven’t done it before so you know you have not overfilled the tires.