Travel: The Importance of Tire Pressure

When was the last time you checked your tires' air pressure? Don't remember? When a tire is under inflated, most of the car's weight is concentrated on the tread that's located just under the sidewalls, rather than being spread out evenly across the full width of the tire. This means that as the tire rolls, the sidewall gets continually flexed (squished, if you will) and heats up. According to a recent study by the National Transportation and Safety Administration, more than 25% of all passenger cars and more than 33% of all light trucks have under inflated tires.

What does this mean to you?

Lower Gas Mileage: Lower tire pressure means lower gas mileage
For each pound of under inflation, your gas mileage can drop up to 1 percent
Tire Failure: Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure
Faster Tread Wear: Lower tire pressure also causes the tread to wear out faster and forces premature replacement
Poor Handling: The point where the tire meets the road is a crucial element in determining the ride control of your vehicle
Under inflation prevents your ride control system from functioning properly

So what is the proper tire pressure for your vehicle?

The proper tire pressure is available to you in a number of locations in the owner's manual or on the door jam or doorpost
Many vehicles now also have sticker on the interior of the gas cap
The pressure listed on the exterior of the tire is the maximum pressure that the tire should be inflated to, not necessarily the ideal pressure
Always take the tire's pressure when the tires are cold driven less than one mile
Tires will lose about one pound per square inch (PSI) for every 10-degree drop in the temperature
Tires will also lose pressure over time about 1 PSI per month

But I have a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS)

Many Budds vehicles are equipped with these systems, which indicate when a tire becomes under inflated
Some tire pressure monitoring systems provide a warning only when a tire is significantly under inflated
The tire may then be close to failure
When a monitoring system warns that pressure is low, measure your tire pressure as soon as possible
Tire pressure monitoring systems do not replace the maintenance procedures recommended here

We can't overstate this: check your tire pressure at least once a month, perhaps on the first of the month to make it easy to remember. We recommend a good quality air pressure gauge to be kept in your vehicle at all times. Air gauges found at service stations are used daily and may not always record accurate air pressure. By purchasing your own gauge you will always be consistent in air pressure readings.

(Information from Budds Oakville Newsletter).

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