HOW TO CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE

Correct tyre pressure can help to extend the life of your tyres, improve vehicle safety and maintain optimum fuel efficiency, which not only saves you money, but is also better for the environment.

Tyres that are under inflated can overheat and over inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling. An under inflated tyre also creates more rolling resistance and therefore consumes more fuel to maintain the same speed.

Over or under inflated tyres need to be replaced more regularly as they suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure.

Pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air that has been pumped into the inner lining of your tyre in pounds force (PSI) or BAR pressure.

To find out what your car’s tyre pressure should be, consult the manufacturers tyre placard usually found inside the driver’s door sill, glove box, fuel filler cap, under the bonnet or in the vehicles handbook. The placard also displays the manufacturers recommended tyre sizes.

It’s not always apparent that air is being lost, so it is important to check tyre pressure regularly. Air generally escapes at the rate of up to two pounds of air every month. More air is usually lost during warmer weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise.

Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyre is cold, as pressure increases as the tyre becomes hot. Take the cold tyre readings and check them against the recommended tyre pressures from your placard.

Heavy loads or towing puts an extra strain on your tyres. So if your vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and luggage, you will need to increase the tyre pressure. It is important to consult your vehicles handbook for the correct tyre pressure.