Tire pressure is essential
The only thing between the road and your car is the tires. That makes them a very important part of the whole car package. Thefunctionsto get premium gas mileage and have the best control for steering your 3000 pound plus vehicle rests on those four tires. When you stop and think about this, you may realize it is time to pay a little more attention to those four roundish things called tires.
There are many things that cause the air pressure in a tire to change. Weather or temperature is one biggest factors in the quick changes of air pressure. The air pressure will change as the tread wears as well. Of course, a leak or puncture will change the air pressure.
There are some best practices that can help drivers remain alert and pay attention to the tire pressure before it becomes a serious problem. Any driver can and should be able to check the air pressure of the tires. It is a thing they can do without assistance or great cost.
It is such a simple thing. Before you start your car do a walk around and make sure everything looks right. By looking at something every single day and sometimes several times a day, you will notice small changes. If you live where temperatures are very cold, look for cracks in the tires. This way small issues can be dealt with before they become big problems.
Look to see if the tread is wearing evenly. Check and see if a tire looks low. Give a quick glance for nails and debris. This should be a habit every time you get in the car.
If you notice there is more "play" in the steering than usual. Do not just ignore it. Find the cause. One of the first things to check would be to look at tires and check the tire pressure.
The tire pressure should be checked every other time you fill up with gas and when the walk around inspection alerts you that there might be a problem. It is important to have a good tire gauge and know how to properly use the equipment. The only real way to know if your tires need more air is to check the air pressure.
There is atagin the vehicle that tells you the proper pressure for your tires. You can also get this information sorted out when the tires are put on your vehicle. There are also charts available based on the brand of tire, vehicle and terrain. The numbers should be relatively close.
The tires need to be cool when the air pressure is taken. When the tires heat up then the air is higher and you will not get a proper reading. It is handy to have a paper and pen to write down numbers. You never want to check just one tire, it is important to check all four. If you jot down the numbers it can be helpful in determining any issues. Your mechanic will appreciate this information if needed.
To check the tire pressure you remove the valve cap from the tire. The gauge needs to be pressed straight into the valve, if there is a hissing sound it is not properly pressed in. It is a hard press. Write the PSI (pounds per square inch) and which tire on the paper. Put the valve back on so you don't lose it. Check the pressure in all four tires before adding or removing any air. This information will be helpful to let you know if the tires need to be balance, if you have an alignment problem or if there is a damage tire causing issues.
Once you have examined and recorded all the PSI measurements, make the necessary adjustments, but adding or letting air out of the tires. Make sure all the valves have been tightly placed on each tire.
At least every time you get our oil changed make sure that 5th tire is checked. Nothing is worse than having a problem and discovering that your spare is a problem as well.
Preventative measures can help avoid tire blow outs and other issues. So make it a habit and part of your car maintenance to make sure all five of the tires have the correct air pressure.
