Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine November 2017 | Page 30
How Much Air Should You Put In Your Tires?
Tire maintenance is one of the most important things you
can do for your car from a safety and cost standpoint. The
easiest way to care for your tires is both quick and
inexpensive: maintain the correct tire pressure.
Driving on under-inflated tires is one of the biggest
causes of tire failure, according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, and under-inflated tires
present many other problems. They wear out more
rapidly, handle poorly and reduce fuel efficiency. In
addition, over-inflated tires are more susceptible to
damage from road irregularities, and this also creates a
bumpier ride. Overfilling your tires is just as dangerous as
under-filling them, so it’s important you know what is
recommended for your vehicle.
Determining your tire pressure requirements
Since tire pressure is so important to your safety and your
car’s overall performance, it’s important to know what tire
pressure is right for your vehicle. Air pressure in tires is
measured in pounds per square inch, or PSI; usually, the
recommended pressure ranges between 30 and 35 PSI.
To learn what your tire pressure should be, look for your
manufacturer’s recommendation, which is printed on a
label inside your car. Depending on the vehicle, this label
may be on the edge of the vehicle’s door, on the
doorpost or in the glove box. The label will usually give
recommendations for the front and rear tires as well as
the spare, and it’s important you stick to those guidelines.
(While you’re at it, check the air in your spare tire, too. It
loses air pressure over time.) Even after you’ve replaced
your tires, the same pressure guidelines on your car’s
label apply to new tires of the same size. If your tires are
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MOMENTUM / November 2017
By: Joe Cook, Primary Agent
Nationwide Insurance
[email protected]
larger than the stock models that came on your car and
you’re unsure of the recommended PSI, check the tire’s
sidewall to find the maximum cold PSI level.
Pressure recommendations are based on readings taken
from Check the pressure first thing in the morning or
wait at least three hours after driving; this provides
sufficient time for them to cool back down.
Maintaining ideal tire pressure
Of course, knowing your recommended PSI isn’t
enough. You have to ensure you’re checking your tires
regularly. Some experts recommend you check the air
pressure every time you refuel; others say once a month
is sufficient. Monitoring the amount of air in your tires
will let you know if you have a small leak and can help
you avoid an unexpected flat tire.
Frequently checking your PSI becomes even more
important in the fall and winter, when outside
temperatures drop and weather conditions fluctuate
causing your tires to lose air more quickly. Generally
speaking, your tire will gain or lose one PSIfor every 10-
degree change in temperature, which means if you have
a sudden drop of 30 degrees, you could lose three PSI
overnight. If your tires were already low, this could cause
tire damage, steering problems or even a flat tire.
Knowing and maintaining the right air pressure is
important to the safety and longevity of your tires. All it
takes is a and a few minutes of your time.