Fast facts: How to check tire pressure

• A cold tire will give you a better reading.
• For the recommended tire pressure, refer to your vehicle manual.
• You can use a reliable gauge to check the tire pressure at home or at the gas station.
• Compare the tire PSI (pounds/square inch) to the vehicle manual.
• You can adjust the pressure to suit your vehicle’s load by adjusting it higher or lower than the recommended range.

Underinflated tires are responsible for many accidents. It’s time to check your tires each month if you don’t already. You will save money and could even save lives.

Aren’t a few times a month enough? It is not. There are many reasons to inspect your tires every month.

Save money. Tires will wear faster if they are underinflated and more unevenly if they are overinflated. In both cases, you will need to replace your tires more often. The average tire life can be extended by proper care. It can stabilize the tire structure, which can increase its durability by as much as 7,500 kilometers. You’ll also save fuel by not inflating your tires. This will result in a vehicle that consumes more fuel per mile and thus, a lower mileage.

A more comfortable ride. The vehicle’s responsiveness, handling, and performance are affected by properly inflated tires. This brings us to the next point.

Safety first. Handling can be affected if tires are too or underinflated. If the tires are too low or too high, handling becomes slow and unsafe. This is especially true if you corner at high speeds. All aspects of directional stability, stopping distance, brake grip and braking are affected. Heat builds up as your tires are unable to hold on to the road. This can lead to more blowouts and increases the chance of serious accidents.

Take into account the environment. Your car will use 1.5 percent more fuel if its tires are less than 0.3 bar. This can lead to increased rolling resistance and a higher level of CO2 emissions. Proper inflation is the best way to ensure maximum safety and optimal fuel economy. You’ll have a longer life expectancy and a lower carbon footprint.

How do I check tire pressure?

The tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). This pressure is based on the vehicle’s size and weight. It is important to use the recommended pressure for your vehicle. This will ensure optimal performance and safety.

Every two to four weeks, check the pressure. Also, always before you travel on longer trips or if you have additional loads.

Cold tires. A cold tire will give you a better reading. The tire pressure will rise by 1.6 PSI if the temperature outside is higher than 10 degrees Celsius. Winter conditions can cause tires to drop up to 5 PSI in certain climates.

The handbook is available. Find the handbook. This is the minimum air pressure that cold tires need to support your vehicle. It will likely be two numbers, one for normal usage and one for full loads. This number is usually found in the vehicle manual, inside the fuel cap or on the driver’s door post. It is possible to find it by consulting your dealer, manufacturer, or qualified tire professional if you are unable to locate it.

The gauge. You can use a reliable and accurate tire pressure gauge at home, at an auto parts store or at a gas station. Tire pressure gauges are free to use. You can choose from traditional stick-type gauges or battery-operated digital gauges.

Verify the tire pressure. Keep the cap off the tire’s valve air valve. The gauge should be placed on the stem of the valve. Press down hard and firmly until you hear the air escape. The PSI reading will be displayed on your gauge. This is a comparison to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Set the pressure. Push the valve to release air if the reading is higher than the recommended. This may take a few attempts before the gauge displays the correct reading. If your PSI reading falls below the recommended level, you can use an air compressor at the gas station to fill the tire until it reaches the right level. Close the valve cap and replace it with a tight seal.

State-of-the-art technology

Continental has created a Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which works with brake sensors and wheel sensors to alert the driver of low tire pressure levels via a dashboard warning lamp.

This safety feature is also a great way to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emission, and prolong your car’s maximum performance life span.

To ensure safer and better driving, however, make sure you check your tires every two to four weeks.