How to check Tyre Pressure

One of the cornerstones of good tyre maintenance is ensuring regular checks and measurements of your tyre pressure. Ensuring optimum pressure levels for your tyres doesnt just deliver a better driving experience, it protects your tyres against premature wear and tear, improves the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and, in the long-term, can potentially save you the cost of a costly repair bill if you're ever faced with a dreaded tyre blow-out. Despite being relatively straightforward to check at home, many motorists neglect this basic element of car maintenance, leading to underinflated tyres and unnecessary problems on the road. If you want to keep your tyres in tip-top shape, make sure you're paying regular attention to your tyre pressure levels.

Tyre Pressure Explained

Tyre pressure is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch. Depending on the exact vehicle you're driving, the recommended PSI can vary significantly. Generally speaking, the larger the vehicle and heavier the load, the greater the PSI. To measure tyre pressure at home, you'll need to find the recommended rating for your individual vehicle. This tyre pressure rating can be found in numerous places, including the vehicle manual provided by the manufacturer, detailed on the inner side of the petrol cap, or printed on the inside of the driver's door. Alternatively, you can find the optimum tyre pressure rating for your vehicle by searching your registration number online. Depending on the design of your vehicle, you may notice that front and back tyres have different PSI recommendations.

Performing Tyre Pressure Checks at Home

Once you've determined the correct PSI rating for your vehicle, it's time to check the actual pressure of your tyres. To do so, you'll need a pressure gauge to take the reading. Once you've got hold of a gauge, remove the stem cap from the tyre you're checking. This can be found near the hubcap on each tyre. Slowly attach the gauge onto the stem and take note of the reading provided, ensuring there's no hissing noises indicating an escape of air, as this will provide an unreliable reading. Replace the valve cap and repeat the process until you've measured the PSI of all tyres against manufacturer recommendations.

Solving Low Tyre Pressure

Although it's possible to readjust tyre pressure levels at home manually, many motorists don't feel confident in performing this adjustment themselves. If you don't have the relevant equipment to hand, or simply want an expert to handle the job for you, it makes sense to visit a garage and have the pressure adjusted by a professional. What's more, an expert can advise on optimum levels of PSI against the recommendations of a manufacturer. Adding extra PSI to your tyres can mean improved fuel efficiency for your vehicle, helping you save money in the long run, but in doing so you may compromise your steering and braking ability. When you consult with the experts, you'll be able to make an informed decision on PSI that's right for you and your individual driving requirements.

Why Perfect Pressure Pays Off

If you're looking to save money in the long run, ensuring your tyre pressure is at optimum levels is crucial. Poor pressure can be a huge contributor to premature wear of your tyres, dramatically reducing the life of your tyres and requiring you to invest in new ones much sooner. Tyres that are underinflated are also prone to blow-outs, a huge safety issue you don't want hanging over you when you're on the road. What's more, ensuring your tyres are correctly inflated can improve your fuel efficiency, dramatically reducing your overall driving expenses.