The Importance of Proper Tire Inflation

Keeping the tires of your car properly inflated brings many benefits. It can result in your tires wearing evenly, prolonging their life and improving the fuel economy of your vehicle. With appropriately inflated tires, your car will have better handling, giving you a more comfortable ride and dependable traction.

(Pixabay / MatanVizel)

There are few things to remember about tire inflation:

• The pressure of your tires must be set in accordance with the car’s owner’s manual or based on the tire information placard.
• Tire pressure should be checked in the morning before you drive your car. You will not get the correct reading if you measure after the car has been driven.
• Tire pressure is affected by temperature differences. Your tire pressure will drop when the temperature is cold and rise when the climate is warm. It is important to check the pressure of your tires when the season changes.
• Use a good-quality gauge – Newer model cars are now equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that will automatically alert the driver when a tire’s pressure is low. Even if your car has TPMS, it is a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge in the car’s glove compartment. Make sure your gauge is dependable. Stick to one gauge for consistency’s sake; using different gauges might give you a wide variation of readings.

Overinflated and Underinflated Tires

Tires must be inflated according to the car manufacturer’s recommendation. Overinflated tires will become stiff and rigid, reducing the tire’s contact surface. This could result in a rough ride. It could also lead to uneven wear, specifically greater center wear, with the center of the tire becoming more worn out than the sides.

Underinflated tires, on the other hand, become flatter, resulting in more of the tire making contact with the road. This can cause premature wear of the shoulder of the tires, or “shoulder wear.” Underinflated tires also hurt the car’s fuel economy.