The Importance Of Right Tyre Inflation

The automaker’s recommended pressure is an important element of tyre maintenance and car handling. Here we explain why it is so important and give you some inflation tips that will help your tyres remain in good health.

Usually the recommended tyre pressure is listed on a sticker on the driver's door jamb. If you cannot find it on the door, you can definitely find the indicators in the owner's manual.

Tyre pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air pumped into the tyre in pounds per square inch (PSI) or BAR pressure, which is the metric unit of atmospheric pressure equal to 14.50 PSI.

How does the value of pressure affect the behaviour of the car on the road?

If the tyre pressure is below normal

Depending on the magnitude of the pressure loss, there is a varying degree of worsening the vehicle handling. Vehicle dynamics is noticeable poorer as the rolling resistance of the vehicle increases. The vehicle begins to "float" along the road and is especially noticeable when changing lanes. 

In addition, a tyre with a reduced pressure has a bigger area of ​​contact with the road and it gets hotter, which results in an increased wear of its surface, loss of tread segments or even blowouts. Fuel consumption increases as well, as the engine has to spend more energy to overcome the increased rolling resistance. And there is an increase in the risk of aquaplaning.

If you hit a pothole on the road you may damage the rim, not to mention the destruction of the tyre or its spontaneous disassembly.

At the same time, deliberately lowering the tyre pressure by the driver can help a stalled vehicle get out of the mud or snow.

If the tyre pressure is above normal

Inflated tyres allow the car to roll easier on the road, easier to control, reduce fuel consumption, but at the same time, there is an increased wear of the central part of the tyre tread. When driving on an uneven surface, the driver and passengers will feel a bumpier ride, and the car's suspension will fail faster.

This is why it is necessary to maintain the optimum recommended tyres pressure. It improves safety, provides good handling, minimal tyre wear, and optimum fuel consumption. Sometimes it makes sense to increase or decrease the pressure for a short time, depending on the road and weather conditions or the level of load.

It is recommended to check the tyre pressure once a week and before every long ride. A visual inspection of the wheels must be carried out daily. The spare tyre must not be forgotten.

Maintenance and inflation tips

• Always check the pressure when tyres have been at rest. An ideal time for this is early in the morning.
• Use a quality pressure gauge. These devices do not cost a fortune and you can find a good one around 20$.
• Refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressures.
• Make sure if it is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer to increase tyre pressures for towing or carrying heavy loads.
• Check the maximum admissible pressure molded into the tyre sidewall and do not over inflate above that reading.
• To equalize tread wear, rotate the tyres at the intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Check wheel alignment and adjust as necessary if you notice that the car pulls to one side.

Notes and additions

• Different pressure in each tyre, results in a sharply worsening of car handling.
• The tyre pressure is affected by the air temperature. When it changes by 10 degrees, the tyre pressure changes by 0.1 BAR or 1.45 PSI.
• Do not reduce the pressure of warm tyres. Once they cool down, the pressure could fall below the recommended tyre pressure.
• A difference of 0.5 BAR, or 7.25 PSI, from the manufacturer's recommendations can increase the braking distance on wet road by 5.5 metres, or 18 feet.
• If tyres do not meet the recommended specs road users may be fined and get some points on their licence!