Tyre Pressure: Save Fuel & Extend Tyre Life ΓÇö How To Check

 

Setting your tyres to the recommended tyre pressure is integral for health and performance.

Due to the importance of the topic, several pages discuss it. 

Yet, plenty of these pages provide too much jargon and doesnΓÇÖt delve deep into whatΓÇÖs important. 

This often leads to misinterpretation leaving you in confusion.

Even worse, applying wrong information. 

As a result, we made this blog to answer all your concerns in a straight, concise manner. 

In this blog we'll discuss all you need to know about tyre pressure.

So letΓÇÖs not waste more time and dive straight to the topic!

How to Check Your Tyre Pressure

To set your tyres to the recommended tyre pressure by checking the air.

You want a tyre pressure gauge. 

First step is to insert it over the valve of the tyre and it will show the pressure on a digital, dial or a telescoping rod. 

To make sure of the reading, hold the gauge's tip over the valve, so that thereΓÇÖs no hissing out around edges.

Keep in mind to check the pressure for each tyre as it varies across all 4. 

If you donΓÇÖt have tyre pressure gauge you can go to a fuel station nearby.

They offer air pump service with some free services.

DonΓÇÖt forget to check the pressure on your spare tyre too as it loses pressure with time.

Also keep in mind that temperature affects the pressure, affecting your readings. 

So itΓÇÖs better to take a cold reading before you start your journey.

Here's a step-by-step guide to do it in a blink:

1. Remove the tyre valve dust cap and place the pressure gauge onto the valve.

2. Push the gauge until you get a reading.
3. Check it to see if you need to inflate/deflate your tyre.
4. Keep in mind to check the recommended tyre pressure for all 4 tyres.
5. DonΓÇÖt forget to check the pressure on your spare tyre too.

Finding Your Recommended Tyre Pressure

As there are tons of cars and tyres, you have to always refer to your carΓÇÖs handbook for the tyre pressure best for you.

Most of tyres fall in the range of 28-36 PSI (Pound per square inch).

Though, for specs to each their own. 

The number could be bigger if you carry a heavier load or run on large diameter wheels. 

For wheels, thereΓÇÖs a pressure recommendation on the placard. 

To find your right tyre pressure, check:

• Sticker on the inside of your door or the passengerΓÇÖs door

• carΓÇÖs manual

• Inside of the fuelerΓÇÖs filler flap.

Tyre pressure is a numerical number generally measured in PSI.

There are measurements like BAR/kPa too.

In short, itΓÇÖs the pressure at which properly inflated tyres carry the load of your car, car handles and brakes while operating smoothly. 

Also, it refers to the pressure when your tyres are cold (cold pressure).

Cold is another word for not driving more than 2 miles before checking. 

Driving in the UAE, youΓÇÖve probably cruised with your car through hot conditions for long.

This heat doesnΓÇÖt only make you sweat, but also raise the PSI reading a few numbers too.

When Should I Check My Tyre Pressure?

Tyres can deflate easily if not checked on a regular basis. 

Tyres lose pressure around 1 PSI per month.

 As a rule of thumb, check your tyres once every two weeks. 

Keep in mind to check the tyre tread depth too. 

Check your tyres when cold. 

If youΓÇÖve cruised with your car for a good period of time, they become warm and the tyre pressure increase as a result. 

So a change in your tyre pressure will probably be too low. 

If your carΓÇÖs manufactured past 2012 .

It's most likely to have a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) built within. 

TPMS makes sure that youΓÇÖve set your car to the recommended tyre pressure.

TPMS alerts you if thereΓÇÖs any change in pressure.

What Happens if My Tyre Pressure is Wrong?

Overinflation: 

Your tyres maximum pressure surpasses the recommended tyre pressure always. 

Filling your tyres with maximum pressure is not advised for everyday driving. 

This is due to the fact when tyres are set to the maximum pressure.

Your car doesnΓÇÖt handle as well, brakingΓÇÖs impaired and youΓÇÖre at stake of punctures.

If overinflated, your tyre tread is more prone to wearing out early. 

On specific occasions like towing or carrying a heavy load, maximum pressure can be a good option

Overinflation of your tyres affects the car handling. 

Too much air in your tyre will make them have less contact with the road. 

This causes longer braking distances and less traction. 

TheyΓÇÖll also be more susceptible to impacts which can have a knock-on effect to the way your suspension handles.

Overinflated tyres often have heavy and uneven wear across the central part of your tyre. 

This decreases your tyreΓÇÖs longevity in comparison to tyres set to the correct PSI.

Underinflation:

The truthΓÇÖs thereΓÇÖs no minimum recommended tyre pressure. 

The recommended tyre pressure is the amount of air that a tyre needs for a car to handle properly and safely. 

Any number under this value is not recommended. 

In other words, the functional value is the minimum value. 

In certain countries, cars are required to have a Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) .

TPMS warns the driver when pressure numbers fall below 25% of the recommended tyre pressure. 

This is a case called severe under-inflation.

Less pressure drops are referred to as moderate or mild under-inflation and they can still have negative consequences.

 If you inflate your tyres a number below the recommended PSI, your tyres safety will be compromised. 

Under-inflation causes your tyre to heat up excessively. 

Heating up causes the tread to pull away from the body of the tyre.

 Apart from safety concerns, there are financial concerns.

 A low tyre has more rolling resistance meaning your car has to work harder to move down the road consuming more fuel. 

A tyre inflated properly will save you money at the pumps. 

Low tyres wear quickly and unevenly, so you will be replacing them every now and then. 

A tyre pressure less than 20 PSI is considered a flat tyre and puts you at stake of a tyre puncture. 

If you drive with low tyre pressure for a long period of time, your tyreΓÇÖs tread edges from the inside and outside.

It will be worn excessively as a result of uneven contact of the road and your tyre. 

Underinflation also causes rolling resistance increase, making your car consume more fuel.

As your car will use more power to keep up with the resistance. 

If your tyreΓÇÖs underinflated and need little more air use a suitable pump adding a small amount of air strategically.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

A system that alerts you that one of your tyresΓÇÖs underinflated. 

It's a system that checks your tyre pressure without a gauge.

It alerts you by showing an illuminated symbol on your carΓÇÖs dashboard.

TPMS makes sure that you set your car to the recommended tyre pressure.

It will alert you if thereΓÇÖs any change in pressure.

TPMS will use a direct sensor inside your valve system or a mix of both software and other sensors in your car.

This lets you know when the tyreΓÇÖs pressure is outside of the safe range.

An indicator light shaped like a U with an exclamation mark will light up on your carΓÇÖs dashboard. 

If the pressure falls below the recommended tyre pressure. 

If you see the TPMS light on.

You should check your tyreΓÇÖs pressure ASAP and make any important modifications. 

So is TPMS in all cars? 

No different car manufacturers use different sensor types. 

There are two types of TPMS, direct and indirect. 

Direct TPMS use sensors inside each tyre to measure air pressure and temperature.

This data is delivered to the carΓÇÖs onboard computer.

A driver can read this information on the carΓÇÖs dashboard while driving. 

A bit different are indirect TPMS sensors.

They use the wheel speed sensors that are already installed on the car to indicate whether tyres are underinflated.

Practical Considerations: Tools and Methods for Inflation/Deflation

When inflating your tyres, thereΓÇÖs a manual inflator and a digital inflator. 

For the manual inflator, step on the pump until the correct PSI is shown on display. 

A digital inflator will stop once the right PSIΓÇÖs reached. 

If it doesnΓÇÖt stop automatically, check the reading and stop it manually.

So how can I deflate my tyre?

When youΓÇÖre at a petrol station and want to deflate your tyres youΓÇÖll notice a separate hose for releasing air.

Use the gauge and set it to the correct PSI for your car and connect it to the valve. 

Until airΓÇÖs released, keep pushing down and then reattach the valve cap afterwards.

The pressure levels should be set when the tyres are cold and arenΓÇÖt under heavy weight. 

If possible, set your system on a flat surface before starting your journey and with only you in the car.

LetΓÇÖs picture this, your neighborΓÇÖs driving and suddenly a tyre pressure warning light pops up. 

What should he do?

He should pull over as soon as safe for him. 

He should check his tyre pressures externally to inspect if theyΓÇÖre underinflated or punctured.

If his tyres are underinflated, they will wear out easier and will make him less in control of the car.

Another reason that the light pops up to your friendly neighbor is the weight in the vehicle. 

If heΓÇÖs got a heavy load, tyre pressure would change. 

Even though, he still needs to check his tyres before getting on the road.

Also when checking pressure you could use something like a bike pump as long as it has a gauge.

A benefit for using a bike pump is that you could go ahead instantly and pump your tyre.

You could check the pressure using different methods.

In some cases itΓÇÖs on:

• The edge of the door instead of the body.

• On rear door jambs.

• Under the fuel filler cap.

• Under the bonnet or your carΓÇÖs manual. 

CanΓÇÖt find it anywhere google it.

YouΓÇÖll see websites providing you with the recommended PSI from your manufacturer. 

When picking one of the pressures that are listed you want to consider the wheel and tyre size.

So you can match your size with the pressure recommended.

When setting your tyre pressure you should also consider the speed youΓÇÖre going with. 

Not so popular, is the weather and type of tyre you own.

It's a cold and rainy day and you have summer sports tyres. 

ItΓÇÖs recommended for such a season to decrease the pressure a bit .

As youΓÇÖll have a slightly larger contact patch.

While the rubber that makes up your tyres might not have the same grip on the road as in dry or summer conditions. 

It will give a slight of a physical /mechanical advantage having a bigger patch for that slightly less sticky rubber to grip onto.

Lowering your pressure in cold and rainy weather can decrease hydroplaning. 

The change whether to increase or decrease is not really that huge, it's something like 3-5 PSI. 

Take a look at your tyres before driving. 

Though, you don't need to check tyres daily but you should if:

• YouΓÇÖre going for a journey.

• Holding something heavy.

• Going on a track day.

• Extreme weather conditions (too cold, too warm).

Tyre Pressure Units: PSI vs BAR

PSI is the imperial unit of pressure, while BAR is the metric unit.

A BAR equals about 15 PSI, a pressure of 2 BARS for example would be about 30 PSI. 

They both measure pressure. 

There are key differences between the two.

The measurement of BAR comes in increments of 0.1 .

This provides more precise reading when measuring the pressure. 

PSI measurement comes in increments of 1.0 so it's easier to use.

Whether BAR or PSI, the choice's yours.

All you gotta do is check your pressure once every couple weeks.

Important Terms

BAR: 

A metric unit of pressure, approximately equal to 14.5 PSI. It is used to measure tyre pressure.

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): 

An imperial unit of pressure.

 It is commonly used to measure tyre pressure in many countries.

Cold Pressure:

The tyre pressure measured when the tyres are cold, meaning the car has not been driven for at least three hours or has been driven less than 2 miles.

Maximum Pressure: 

The highest pressure a tyre can safely hold, as indicated on the tyreΓÇÖs sidewall.

It is not the recommended tyre pressure for regular driving. 

Maximum pressure can be seen on the sidewall of the tyre itself in a small tread near the tyreΓÇÖs bead. 

This measurement is provided by the tyre manufacturer not the car manufacturer. 

ItΓÇÖs the maximum pressure that the tyre can endure.

Recommended Tyre Pressure: 

The optimal pressure for your tyres as specified by your vehicle manufacturer. 

It is usually found in the carΓÇÖs manual, on a sticker inside the driverΓÇÖs door, or on the fuel filler flap. 

Recommended tyre pressure is the one used when filling your tyres.

You can find it on your doorΓÇÖs jamb or your carΓÇÖs manual.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, checking your tyre pressure regularly is vital for safety, handling, and fuel efficiency.

Always use a gauge to measure cold pressure and refer to your car's manual or door sticker for the recommended PSI.

Whether it's over or underinflated, incorrect pressure can lead to uneven wear and dangerous driving conditions, so make it a habit to check those tyres every couple of weeks.

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All you've got to do is just visit TyresOnline.ae. 

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Written by: Rageh