Did you know that driving with under- or over-inflated tires is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous ? You can avoid this by regularly checking the air level in your tires. What tire pressure is suitable for summer and which is suitable for winter? How do you know if the amount of air is incorrect? Check out our tips!
Why is it important to check your tire pressure?
Low or high tire pressure is usually not felt immediately. If the air loss is small, the driver may not be aware that there is a problem. Meanwhile driving with incorrect tire pressure over a long period of time can cause serious damage.
Why is it worth checking your tire pressure? ? Here are the most important reasons:
- faster tire wear - when there is too little air in them, they wear out at the edges, when there is too much – on the sides;
- faster wear of the suspension - When the tire pressure is too low, the shock absorbers cannot adequately protect the suspension system while driving;
- improper operation of shock absorbers and springs - If the tire pressure is too high, these components wear out faster.
This is not a complete answer to the question: why we should check tire pressure . The amount of air in the tires also affects driving comfort and safety . It's all about too high pressure , which extends the braking distance and reduces tire traction. Driving on such tires also causes more noise. In turn, in the case of too low tire pressure Driving dynamics deteriorate and maneuvering the car becomes more difficult.
In extreme cases, a tire may even burst due to incorrect pressure. Why does this happen sometimes? An under-inflated tire heats up more quickly, which can result in a sudden blowout when driving at high speed.
What is the tire pressure in your car? We advise you where to find information
This, what pressure should be in the tires , depends on several factors: the size and weight of the car, the number of people transported and the amount of luggage. To put it simply, the larger and heavier the car, the more air its tires need.
Information about this, what tire pressure is right for your car model , are easy to find. You can use:
- user manual - parameters are given there ( how many atmospheres in the tires ) depending on the number of people and vehicle load;
- stickers on the inside of the driver or passenger door - this is a useful tip in a situation where you do not have the vehicle book with you;
- internet search engine - all you need to do is enter the query: “what is the tire pressure for a truck” or “how much air is in the tires for a van” and provide the model of your car, and you will quickly receive the information you need.
In case you were unable to find data for your car model, you can use the general rule that the universal pressure in car tires should be 2.2 bar.
How much air in winter tires and how much in summer tires?
Did you know that the optimal tire pressure should vary depending on the outside air temperature? The differences are not big, but it is worth taking them into account. What pressure should you use in your summer tires? is correct? During the warmer seasons, you can inflate your tires to the pressure recommended in your owner's manual. AND how much air should there be in winter tires ? It is assumed that the appropriate pressure is about 0.2 bar more than general recommendations. If you usually inflate your tires to a standard level of 2.2 bar, in winter increase the air volume to 2.4 bar.
How to check tire pressure?
The easiest way to check your car tire pressure is at a well-equipped gas station. In most of these places there are publicly available electronic pressure gauges . You can also check the amount of air in your tires during a visit to a car service.
How often should you check your tire pressure? ? Experts say to do this on average once a month . Why is it worth checking your tire pressure regularly? ? Introducing this habit will allow you to quickly spot any irregularities and avoid tire damage. It is also worth going to a gas station or a service center equipped with a pressure gauge if you are worried about something and suspect that there is too little or too much air in your tires.
Newer car models are often equipped with TMPS type pressure sensors , which constantly check the amount of air. How Tire Pressure Sensors Work ? These devices are located inside the wheel, which means that air pressure acts on them at all times. When the amount of air in the tire changes, the sensor detects this and communicates via a radio transmitter with the driver, displaying information on the monitor or dashboard. Pressure sensors are quite popular – you will find them among others among our Iveco parts .
