Maintaining car tyre pressure is extremely crucial to ensure optimal performance of the car. Tyres are the most important part of the car as they are responsible for transmitting engine power to the road and propelling the vehicle forward. Additionally, all inputs from the driver, such as steering, acceleration, and braking, are all transmitted to the road via the tyres. Maintaining the optimal tyre pressure leads to enhanced safety, fuel efficiency, and overall longevity of the tyres and the car. A higher than required tyre pressure can lead to uneven wear of the tread and an uncomfortable ride. On the other hand, having a lower than required tyre pressure can cause structural fatigue to the tyres and increase the chances of damage and tyre bursts.
What is Car Tyre Pressure?
The amount of air inside a car’s tyre is known as car tyre pressure. It is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) or kilopascals (kPa). The optimal tyre pressure for your car is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can also be found in the vehicle handbook. Some manufacturers may recommend a different pressure for the front and rear tyres, whereas others may recommend the same pressure for all four tyres.
Let’s take a look at the manufacturer recommended car tyre pressures as per their tyre sizes for various makes and models.
Car tyre pressure should be monitored regularly to maintain optimal performance for the car. Most fueling stations provide free air for its customers, and in some cases, you would be required to pay a nominal fee for the same. Some of these fueling stations also provide nitrogen inflation services. In case you are confused about what suits your car better, check out the benefits of nitrogen over air in car tyre.These stations are equipped with digital machines that can detect the pressure in your tyres and inflate or deflate them to the desired number. In case of manual inspection, they use a manual gauge that is connected to the inflation tube of the tyres and display the current pressure. These gauges can come in different types, such as sticks, sometimes called pencil type pressure gauges, dial and digital gauges. You can also purchase one of these gauges from an auto parts store to check the pressure yourself. Additionally, you can also get a small, portable tyre inflator which works by connecting it to the car’s auxiliary power outlet. These portable inflators can come in handy in case you are on the road and no tyre repair service providers are around. The only drawback to these portable inflators is that it may take some time to build up enough pressure to inflate your tyres, however they are still great for emergency purposes.
Here is a step-by-step guide to inflating your car’s tyres:
Get the necessary tools for the task. A tyre pressure gauge, a tyre inflator, and the recommended tyre pressure details of your car’s model.
Ensure that the car is parked on a level surface and that it has not been driven for at least an hour to allow the tyres to cool down.
Remove the valve caps from each tyre. If needed, use a valve cap remover.
Connect the pressure gauge to the valve stem of the tyre. A hissing sound indicates that the gauge has been attached correctly.
Read the tyre pressure that appears on the display of the gauge. Compare it to the recommended car tyre pressure from the manufacturer. Repeat this process for each tyre.
Inflate or deflate the tyres as required. If the pressure reading is higher than recommended, use the release valve to release some air till the required reading is reached. If the reading is lower, inflate the tyres to the recommended pressure reading using the tyre inflator.
Repeat this process for all the tyres.
Reattach all four valve caps properly.
Note: You should also check the tyre pressure for your spare. In case of a flat or a blowout, you may need to use the spare tyre. Learn how to repair tubeless tyre puncture here.
Factors Affecting Car Tyre Pressure
External aspects influence car tyre pressure quite a lot. You should always be mindful of the environment and conditions and monitor the car tyre pressure accordingly. A few common factors that can affect car tyre pressure are:
Temperature – Tyre pressure changes with a change in temperature. For every 5.6 degree C (or 10 degree F) fall in temperature, the car tyre pressure decreases by 1 PSI.
Altitude – On higher ground, the atmospheric pressure decreases, and as a result, the tyre pressure can also decrease.
Condition of the tyre – Older and worn out tyres tend to lose air faster and need to be inflated more often.
Load – Very heavy loads exert higher pressure on tyres. If you are checking the car tyre pressure with all passengers in the car or a hefty load, there are chances of an incorrect reading and subsequent overinflation.
Driving habits – Last but not least, your driving style matters. Car tyre pressure can be affected if the car is driven aggressively with sharp cornering or hard braking.
Importance Of Maintaining The Correct Car Tyre Pressure
Maintaining the right car type pressure leads to improved handling, better acceleration and breaking, and an increased overall ride quality. This also helps the tyre perform optimally at its correct tyre speed rating.
Keeping the right tyre pressure has the following advantages:
Better fuel efficiency - The right tyre pressure decreases rolling resistance thereby making your car fuel-efficient.
Longevity of the tyres – Your tyres will last much longer and undergo much less wear and tear if you keep the tyre pressure as per the recommendation.
Safety – Tyres that are regularly monitored are less likely to burst or get damaged. Tyres that are well maintained perform better in scenarios of sudden manoeuvres and may assist in averting accidents.
Superior performance – Optimal pressure in the tyres results in better fuel economy, higher stability and great control. It reduces the effort required from the engine in acceleration, and makes it easier to maintain speed.
Tyre Load Index
The tyre load index is a numerical value that indicates the maximum load capacity of a tyre. This value is usually expressed in kilograms (kg). The higher the load index value, the better the load-carrying ability of the tyre. This is an important figure and the car’s maximum weight with occupants and other loads should not exceed this number. Overloading tyres beyond the load index can result in significant tyre damage.
Following is a table with Load Index (LI) and the weight the respective tyres can carry (kg):
LI
kg
LI
kg
LI
kg
LI
kg
LI
kg
41
145
57
230
73
365
89
580
105
925
42
150
58
236
74
375
90
600
106
950
43
155
59
243
75
387
91
615
107
975
44
160
60
250
76
400
92
630
108
1000
45
165
61
257
77
412
93
650
109
1030
46
170
62
265
78
425
94
670
110
1060
47
175
63
272
79
437
95
690
111
1090
48
180
64
280
80
450
96
710
112
1120
49
185
65
290
81
462
97
730
113
1150
50
190
66
300
82
475
98
750
114
1180
51
195
67
307
83
487
99
775
115
1215
52
200
68
315
84
500
100
800
116
1250
53
206
69
325
85
515
101
825
117
1285
54
212
70
335
86
530
102
850
118
1320
55
218
71
345
87
545
103
875
119
1360
56
224
72
355
88
560
104
900
120
1400
Tips For Maintaining Proper Car Tyre Pressure
As evident from what we have seen so far in this blog, maintaining the right tyre pressure is paramount to a better driving experience as well as the longevity of the tyres and the car. A few important tips on how can maintain your car tyre pressure at the optimal level are given below:
Make sure that you regularly check your car tyre pressure, as it is sensitive to road and temperature conditions.
Purchase a tyre pressure gauge and keep it inside your vehicle.
Never take tyre pressure readings when the tyres are hot as air expansion within the tyre will give inaccurate measurements.
Always check the tyre pressure before a long trip. Generally, long trips involve a larger load and hence there is higher pressure on the tyres.
Be careful not to over or under inflate the tyres. Overinflation can lead to structural issues in the tyre and underinflation can cause tyre blowouts. Always stick to the car tyre pressure recommended by the car’s manufacturer.
Monitor your tyre pressure often when driving in severe weather conditions. Extreme heat or cold can drastically affect the car tyre pressure.
Be mindful of any unusual signs while driving like a vibrating steering wheel or a jerking sensation. These can be indicators of improper tyre pressure.
Get your tyres regularly checked by a professional. This helps keep them in good condition and eliminate any inflation issues.
To sum up, your car’s tyre pressure has a far-reaching impact on your vehicle and well-being. It directly affects the safety, comfort, performance, and fuel-efficiency of your car. Conducting regular pressure checks will help you maintain your tyres in excellent condition and enjoy countless carefree drives.
FAQ
Q. What is the right car tyre pressure?
The car tyre pressure varies depending on the car model and tyre size. To find the correct tyre pressure for your car, refer to the vehicle’s manual or check the sticker on the side of the driver’s door. It contains the right car tyre pressure as recommended by the manufacturer. Q. How do I check my car’s tyre pressure? You can measure your car’s tyre pressure by using a tyre pressure gauge. You can either use one available at most petrol pumps or you can purchase one for personal use from an auto store. Q. Should I use nitrogen or air to fill the tyres of my car? It is your choice. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. Normal air is easily available at any petrol pump for free, or in some occasions, at a nominal cost, whereas nitrogen is only available at some specialised centres and is expensive. However, normal air is more prone to temperature fluctuations unlike nitrogen.
Q. How will I know I have incorrect tyre pressure?
You will observe some unusual signs from your car if the air pressure is not right. These can include a vibrating steering wheel, jerking sensation or unevenly worn out tyres.
Q. Can I depend on TPMS to monitor my car tyre pressure?
TPMS or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System only notifies you when the tyre pressure is too low. So it is better to regularly check your tyre pressure using a tyre pressure gauge.
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