Tire pressure, a delicate balance that makes a huge difference

At a minimum, 95% of the weight of the vehicle rests on your tires. Pressure therefore plays a crucial role in how well your tires perform on the road. It is therefore very important to check it every month or before embarking on a long trip in order to maintain the correct pressure.

Badly or overinflated tires wear out faster (for example, with a pressure exceeding 20%, we are talking about a reduction in life of almost 10,000 km!) and make you spend more gas. Tires with adequate pressure reduce the risk of going off the road, protect them against premature wear and prevent irreparable internal damage.

Why does the tire pressure tend to drop?

Due to the permeable nature of rubber, tire pressure is always changing. Small punctures (sometimes invisible to the naked eye) and natural air leaks caused by the materials the tires are made of or by changes in temperature will cause these pressure drops. It is therefore necessary to check the pressure with a precision tool: a gauge.

Generally, the accuracy of pocket gauges sold at auto parts retailers is greater than those of gas station air pumps. With frequent temperature changes, beware! A tire’s pressure decreases by 1 psi (or 7 kPa) for every 5°C lower.

Also, since it’s easy to overlook, since you don’t see it very often (it’s better that way, anyway) and it doesn’t make a lot of noise in the trunk of your car, n don’t forget to check your spare tire pressure! Even if it seems well inflated, in an emergency situation, it would be very unfortunate not to be able to count on a tire that has become unusable due to poor maintenance.

The recommended pressure is not the maximum pressure!

There are four possible places you can check to find out the recommended pressure for your tires. You will find it either in the instruction manual that comes with your vehicle, or on the driver’s door sticker, or in the glove box, or even inside the fuel filler flap. However, be careful; the pressure indicated on your tires is not the recommended pressure, but the maximum pressure.

How to check the pressure?

To properly measure the pressure, do it preferably when cold (after the vehicle has been parked for about two hours, after a journey of less than 3 km at moderate speed). If you’re doing it hot, we recommend adjusting your measurements by adding 4.35 psi (or 0.3 bar).

In summary, proper tire pressure allows for safe and comfortable driving, in addition to increasing the longevity of your tires.

Still unsure? Come see us for the best advice for your vehicle.