Tyre pressure has a huge impact on the general handling of your car including braking, steering, and even mileage. So, to help you maintain the quality and performance of your tyres, we’ve put together this handy tyre pressure guide to answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Tyre pressure refers to the amount of air that is pumped inside the inner lining of your vehicle’s tyres. It is measured as a numerical value in pounds per square inch (PSI) or BAR pressure.
If you’re unsure how to check your tyre pressure, you can buy yourself a pressure gauge, or find one at your local garage.
For a step-by-step on how to use a pressure gauge:
1. Begin by removing the valve cap from your tyre.
2. Press the pressure gauge onto valve stem until the hissing sound stops.
3. The gauge should then give a reading which you can take a note of.
4. Once noted, put the valve cap back on to keep the air in.
5. Repeat these steps for other tyres.
To find the correct tyre pressure for your tyres, look inside the fuel filler flap of your car or on the drivers’ door edge. If you can’t locate it inside your car, your vehicle handbook should tell you exactly what the pressure of your tyres should be. If you have no luck, contact your vehicle customer service or visit your local Eurorepar car centre for in-person help and advice.
Tyres naturally lose pressure over time, so it’s a good idea to check your tyre pressure every month - not only to ensure the longevity of your tyres, but also to avoid any dangerous consequences of incorrect pressures, such as a blowout.
You should complete a tyre pressure check when your tyres are cold, ideally before you’ve made any journeys that day, as warm tyres that have recently been driven can give inaccurate pressure readings.
As well as directly affecting the comfort of your driving experience, having the correct tyre pressure will also help to extend the life of your tyres. This is because proper inflation will prevent significant wear to the inside and outside of your tyres. Making sure your tyres have the right pressure will also help to improve vehicle steering, handling and grip, as tyres with poor inflation can increase the distance it takes for your vehicle to safely stop.
Having the correct tyre pressure will also help to maintain fuel efficiency. Underinflated tyres can increase your fuel usage and cause tyre wear on the outside edge, whereas overinflated tyres can cause wear on the inside edge of the tyre tread and reduce their grip.
Over time your tyres will naturally lose small amounts of air from carrying the full weight of your vehicle. Other reasons why your tyres deflate could be:
· Slow punctures (any tiny holes in your tyres that will allow air to escape)
· Faulty valve (having a damaged valve will allow air to escape slowly whether your car is moving or not)
· Temperature changes (the tyre contracting when it’s cooled and expanding when heated)
· Debris at contact point of the tyre bead
· Micro-cracks
· Damaged rim
· Osmosis (as the air within the tyre exits slowly through the rubber walls of the tyre)
If you think you may have a slow puncture, try looking out for the following:
· Vibration – If you begin to feel vibrations from your steering wheel, this may be a signal of an issue with your tyre pressure. Tyres with a slow puncture and decreasing tyre pressure are often likely to overheat and become unbalanced, which is the cause of these vibrations.
· Drifting or pulling – If you are driving on a flat road at a safe speed and notice your vehicle drifting or pulling to one side, this may indicate a slow puncture. The car pulling to one side may also indicate a problem with the wheels, not just the tyres.
· Changes in vehicle handling – If your vehicle doesn’t feel as responsive as it usually does, or if your suspension is harder than usual, a slow puncture may be the cause. The main driver of the car is the best person to notice even slight changes in the handling.
If you experience any of these issues, pop into your local garage and a Eurorepar professional will be able to help you with expert advice.
We hope our tyre pressure check guide will help you stay safe and maintain your tyre quality. If your tyre pressure seems to be decreasing rapidly, or more often, book in for a fitting, replacement or repair to help identify the problem, or to check on the overall health of your car, schedule a service or MOT.
