With the constant fluctuation in gas prices recently, I’ve found myself being more conscious of my driving habits and driving less to reduce the amount of money I need to spend on gas every week.
After learning that I can increase my gas mileage by 3.3% by having my tires inflated to the proper pressure, I realized that I had no idea how to check my tire pressure and what pressure my tires needed to be.
So after some research, I found a few tips how to measure tire pressure and how to know if your tires need more air.
Here are 5 FAQs about Tire Pressure:
1. How is Tire Pressure Measured?
Tire pressure is the amount of air in a vehicle’s tire. It is measured in a unit known as ‘psi’ or pounds per square inch. You can measure your tire pressure though a tire gauge. There are two types of tire gauges, the popular pencil-style gauge and digital or dial-type tire pressure gauges. Car Talk recommends using a dial-type or digital gauge because pencil-style gauges can be inaccurate.
2. Why Should I Check My Tire Pressure?
In addition to affecting your gas mileage, the wrong tire pressure can be extremely dangerous. If your tire pressure is too high, your stopping distance may be longer than usual and if your tire pressure is too low, your tires may wear prematurely and overheat.
3. How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure?
It is recommended that out check your tire pressure about once a month or more, depending on the road conditions and the weather. Because tire pressure changes with the temperature outside, you should check your tires when the temperature fluctuates by more than 10 degrees, when the season changes or before you go on a long road trip.
TIP: Always check the pressure for all four tires, even if they look like they have the proper pressure.
4. When Should I Check My Tires?
You should always check the pressure when your tires are cold, after your car has been parked over night, or at least parked for a few hours. This will ensure that you get the most accurate reading.
5. How Do I Determine The Correct Pressure of My Tires?
In most newer cars, the recommended pressure is listed on a sticker inside the driver’s door. If there is no sticker, you should check your owner’s manual, which you can sometimes find online. You should not inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the tire itself, because that number is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for the vehicle.
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