Incorrect tire pressure increases fuel consumption, causes uneven tread wear and even rubber bursting. To prevent this from happening, it is important to keep the tires at the correct pressure level. Check them every time you refuel, to make sure you are getting maximum performance and taking care of their condition.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Check the Pressure
Step 1. Look for the correct cold pressure values by referring to the manual or by reading the sticker located on the inside of the driver's door
This number represents the minimum inflation recommended by the car manufacturer. Read on to learn why higher blood pressure values are needed in some cases.
- For most sedans, vans and small pick-ups, the manufacturer generally recommends a pressure value between 1, 8 and 2, 2 bar, but in some cases it can be as high as 2.7 bar.
- For larger vehicles that have to carry large loads, such as trucks and SUVs, the pressure should be 0.2 - 0.8 bar higher than that of smaller cars, roughly around 3.1 bar.
- Also remember that the front and rear tires must be inflated to different pressures, according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Step 2. Unscrew the valve stem cap sticking out of the tire
It is usually black or silver, has the diameter of a ballpoint pen, is located near the hubcap and is 2-3 cm long.
Step 3. Press the pressure gauge against the valve evenly and record the measured pressure
If you hear a hiss, it means that the pressure gauge is not tightened properly or is loosely supported and the results you are reading are not correct. In this case you have to change the angle between the pressure gauge and the valve stem.
If you are using a modern digital pressure gauge, you may need to push a button to read the pressure. If, on the other hand, you are using a traditional instrument, the graduated rod should automatically detect the internal pressure of the gum
Step 4. Put the cap back on the valve
This is not to prevent air from escaping, but to protect the mechanism and valve stem, which are the elements that trap air, from dirt and moisture.
If the value you find is identical to the specifications suggested by the manufacturer, your work will finish as soon as you have made sure that the other wheels also comply with these pressure levels. If, on the other hand, you find any discrepancies, inflate the tires to restore the correct values. Add the right amount of air
Part 2 of 2: Performance Considerations
Step 1. Knowing the manufacturer's suggested pressures does not mean that you can get the most out of your tires
The automaker's specifications are probably adequate for normal driving, but you would have to increase the pressure a little (0.1-0.2 bar more) to reduce fuel consumption. Remember, however, that in general the more inflated tires make driving less pleasant and the vibrations are transmitted to the occupants of the passenger compartment; so it always finds a good balance.
If you increase the pressure too much you can also cause uneven tread wear, an increase in braking distance and a reduction in handling. For all these reasons, avoid inflating them too much
Step 2. Understand the true meaning of the maximum limit on the instruction manual or on the sticker on the inside of the driver's door
A popular misconception holds that the maximum limit indicates the maximum pressure the tire can withstand before exploding or causing malfunction. In reality, this value refers to the maximum pressure the tires can withstand when the car is fully loaded.
As soon as you inflate the tires beyond this limit, be aware that there may be problems. If the tires are holding up too much pressure, a high-speed collision with a manhole could cause a disaster
Step 3. If you are carrying a load in the trunk or the passenger compartment is full, raise the pressure in the rear tires a little
This is particularly important if you plan to travel long journeys with a full load; it is sufficient to slightly increase the pressure values of the rear tires to compensate for the weight. When you unload the vehicle, lower the pressure accordingly to bring it back to the recommended standards.
Step 4. Check the tire pressure when the season changes
During the cold months, blood pressure decreases, while in summer they tend to increase. For this reason it is very important to check the tires at the change of season.
Step 5. Never judge your tire pressure by eye
Do not be lazy! It is very difficult to notice the difference between a 0.7 bar tire and a 1.4 bar tire. In addition, radial tires always show a bulge along the shoulder. If you inflate a tire to the point that this bulge disappears, you really risk overdoing it, exceeding the optimal values for performance.
Advice
- You cannot evaluate tire pressure "by eye", especially if they are radial. Always use an accurate pressure gauge.
- Sunlight warms the tires even when the vehicle is stationary. For consistent values, make sure you don't expose one side of the car to sunlight.
- The pressure value expressed on the shoulder of the tire indicates the maximum cold limit for a fully loaded car.
- If you have to drive the car for a few miles before you can inflate the tires, then check the pressure readings before driving. Repeat the operation when you reach your destination and take into account the difference detected. For example, you want to inflate the tires to 2.4 bar, but now you detect a value of 2.0 bar when cold; this means that the tires have a pressure of 0, 4 bar below optimal. Once you arrive in place to inflate the tires, the new reading on the pressure gauge reads 2.2 bar, this means you will need to inflate them to 2.6 bar to get a reading of 2.4 bar cold.
- If the tire pressure control system warning light comes on, take quick action to fix the problem. This indicator appears as a yellow symbol on the dashboard that lights up if one or more tires are low inflated.
- If you have to carry a certain load or have to drive on the motorway for long periods at speeds above 120 km / h, increase the cold pressure of the tires.
- Remember that the maximum speed that the tires can reach is expressed in letters. For example, those bearing the initials "zr" cannot exceed 239 km / h. You can drive at higher speeds for short moments, but the tires may not guarantee their normal performance. This value, however, only makes sense on new tires; if yours have traveled more than 32,000km, then the maximum speed they can sustain is significantly lower due to wear. When a tire is repaired, the maximum speed value is invalid.
Warnings
- A tire that is too swollen (with a pressure above the maximum levels taken back to the shoulder of the tire) makes driving more uncomfortable and is more prone to damage due to manholes or objects on the road.
- A slightly inflated tire, on the other hand, causes deformation of the shoulder more easily, thus increasing stopping distance under braking, fuel consumption and reducing the life of the tire. In rare cases, the rubber could burst due to excessive heat developed by the deformation of the shoulder and even detach from the rim during emergency maneuvers. Tires with little pressure wear a lot at the edges due to contact between the road and the rim.
- Do not rely on the gas station compressor gauge alone. This is often used badly by many people who drop it on the ground, step on it and so on, so it cannot be well calibrated. At the end of the operations you should always check the pressure with your personal pressure gauge to ascertain the values.
