Christmas puts us under a lot of pressure, but there’s one type of pressure you need to get just right. Like the tread on the outside of your tyres, the air on the inside is absolutely vital to your car’s grip on the road beneath it.
Air pressure very slowly bleeds out of tyres, which makes regular checks a necessity.
Too much pressure and grip are reduced, meaning less control and increased tyre wear through the centre of the tread. Too little pressure and wear increases on the outsides of the tread, increasing heat and friction while causing your car to use more fuel.
Unfortunately, judging tyre pressure by sight (or by kicking the tyre) is unreliable. Fortunately, many service stations offer Air Pumps that will allow you to check and inflate your tyres easily. Make sure you do the check as close to home as possible, before the tyres get too hot and give you a false pressure reading.
Make sure you get the right pressure; car manufacturers put their recommended tyre pressures on placards. They are mostly mounted inside the driver’s door jamb, or inside the gas cap. If you can’t spot yours, grab your car’s manual or place a call your local dealer.
If you need to remove pressure, you can compress the valve core with the tip of a key or pen. Just be careful as the air comes out quickly and noisily.
Remember, if you are adding weight to your car, or towing anything, you will need to change the tyre pressure to suit. The placard will often contain this information, but if you are unsure get in touch with your dealer.
IMPORTANT: If you are unsure, always head directly to your local vehicle dealer to have your car checked. Never get on the road if you have even a small concern about whether or not your vehicle is safe.
This is general information only. Every vehicle is different and all drivers are responsible for their own vehicles. Always consult your vehicle’s manual, and contact your local vehicle dealer for advice.