Dec 1, 2020
Tyres are the only part of your vehicle that makes contact with the road at all times, meaning they put up with a lot. Some motorists fail to think about checking tyre pressure between one MOT or service to the next.
If you’re not maintaining your car’s tyres, you could end up facing some easily avoidable garage costs and in the worst-case scenarios, a serious collision or breakdown. You need to take care of your tyres to stay safe on the roads and here’s how you can check your tyre pressure.
Checking tyre pressures
Before you start, you need to use a pressure gauge that uses the same unit of measurement as the pressure guidelines given for your car. You can find this information in your owner’s manual, alongside the correct tyre pressures required for your car.
1. The first step is to remove the valve dust cap from the tyre valve and place the pressure gauge onto the tyre valve.
2. Press down the gauge on the valve to get the most accurate reading.
3. Check if the reading is in line with the recommendation from the manufacturer, this will then allow you to determine whether you need to deflate or inflate your tyres.
4. Use a suitable pump to inflate your tyres to avoid overinflection.
5. If you need to deflate your tyres slightly, you can do this by using the tip of a flat-head screwdriver to push the metal pin on the valve stem to release some air.
6. Take regular measurements with the pressure gauge between inflating and deflating to ensure you get the correct measurement.
7. Repeat the process on all four tyres.
Why do I need to check my tyre pressure regularly?
It's recommended that you check your tyre pressure monthly because the entire weight of your car is supported by your tyres. Because of this, they will naturally lose some air every month. Tyre pressure can also affect how your car performs in terms of handling such as how quickly you can brake.
Your fuel consumption is also affected by tyre pressure as underinflated tyres can increase your car’s resistance with the road meaning your fuel will be working harder.
Need new tyres?
Do you need your tyres replaced? Here at MyCarNeedsA.com, we can gather quotes from local garages within your area, saving you time and money. Get your quotes today!
