There's no doubt that you should always fill your car, SUV, or truck's tires to their proper psi (pound per square inch), which is the standard increment for air pressure of tires in the US. The psi suitable for your car's tires is generally found on a sticker in the driver's door jamb or the owner's manual. So why is this emphasized so much in the automotive industry? Proper tire inflation will give you ultimate control of your vehicle, give you a more comfortable ride, give you better gas mileage, and allow your tires and car to last longer.
Things to Note About Proper Tire Inflation:
- The pressure in your tires must meet the psi recommended by the tire manufacturer.
- It would be best to do tire pressure checks as often as possible using a reliable tire pressure gauge. You should carry out the procedure in the morning before you drive to get a more precise reading.
- Temperature can significantly alter your tire pressure. For instance, when it is cold, pressure will drop. When there is a temperature rise, your pressure will increase.
Aside from your brake system, your tires are your vehicle's most important safety feature. When they are correctly inflated, they will perform the way they should. Tire pressure is a decisive factor when it comes to safety, comfortability, the longevity of your car/tires, and even your fuel economy.
- Safety: Under inflated tires will cause too much friction between the tire and the road. You could lose control of your vehicle or experience a blowout, leading to a severe collision.
- Comfortability: Too high tire pressure will make your car ride feel harder and bouncier because there's too little tire surface touching the road. Therefore, you are compromising your traction and stopping distance.
- Longevity: Tires will experience uneven tire wear if your tires aren't properly inflated, requiring you to replace them sooner than normal.
- FuelEfficiency: Gas mileage will significantly improve when you drive with the correct tire pressure.
We always recommend that our customers keep a handheld tire pressure gauge in their vehicle, just in case of emergencies. If your tire pressure seems off, you are always welcome to make a trip to our auto repair shop in Burnt Hills, NY. You can call Gil's Garage or make an appointment with us online for any of your automotive needs today.