We all know our tyres are important, but often underestimate just how important they are. When you think about it, your tyres are the only thing keeping your vehicle on the road. And in the infamously changeable British weather, your tyre pressure is prone to fluctuate; increasing when it is hot and dropping considerably as temperatures plummet.
Worn tyres can cause you to fail your MOT and a blow-out can result in costly damage to your vehicle. Despite this, many drivers fail to even consider their tyres between MOTs or services. So, don’t shove checking your tyre pressure to the bottom of the list, and don’t rely on your local garage to do the job for you once a year. Follow these simple steps to check your tyre pressure:
- Your first task is to ensure that your pressure gauge measures pressure in the same units recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. There are two types of units: bars and PSI. If you don’t have a gauge in the right unit, you can convert it yourself: 1 bar = 14.5 PSI
- Remove the dust cap on the tyre valve and place the gauge on the stem.
- Use the gauge to check the pressure. The correct pressure will depend on your vehicle and the type of tyre – you will usually find a sticker on the inside driver’s door showing what the pressure should be but if you can’t see it, check your handbook.
- If the pressure on the gauge is showing as higher than the recommended pressure, you will need to let a little air out by pushing the valve pin in with a flat-head screwdriver; if it’s too low, you need to add some air using a suitable pump.
It is important that you check all four tyres as they can vary – and uneven pressure can affect the handling of your car and its performance on the road. If you are unsure about how to check your tyre pressure ask a nearby garage for help; they may be happy to show you so that you know how to do it in the future.
You should check your tyre pressure once a month and before a big journey. You can check it at home, if you have the right equipment, or at a garage; remember that cold tyres will show slightly lower pressure, whereas tyres warmed by friction from driving or high temperatures will have a higher pressure as the air within the tyres is more active. If you repeatedly find that your tyre pressure is dropping, you could have a slow puncture. This can be caused by debris (such as a nail) stuck in the tyre, a worn sidewall or poorly fitted new tyre. If you think you have a slow puncture, consult a local mechanic or tyre specialist.
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