Keeping your car's tires properly inflated is a critical element of tire maintenance. Tires that contain the specified amount of air pressure last longer and contribute to vehicle safety.
The ideal tire pressure for most vehicles typically falls between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch).
In this guide, you'll learn how to maintain car tire pressure and properly inflate your tires.
What Is Tire Pressure?
Tire pressure refers to the air volume inside your tires, measured in PSI. PSI indicates the amount of air pressure exerted on each square inch within the tire.
You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle in the owner's manual or on a sticker located in the driver's door jamb. You can use compressed air or nitrogen to inflate your tires.
Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for tire longevity. Over or underinflated tires can lead to uneven wear and affect vehicle performance and safety.
Underinflation
Underinflated tires pose a significantly higher risk compared to overinflated tires, as they increase the contact area between the tires and the road surface. Underinflated tires can also impact:
- Braking distances: Low tire pressures provide less responsive steering and handling. This can be especially dangerous when an emergency stop or sudden evasive maneuver is needed to avoid a collision.
- Tire sidewalls: Low pressures allow tire sidewalls to flex excessively, which generates heat. While moderate heat accelerates tire tread wear, high heat can lead to loss of tread segments or even blowouts.
- Rolling resistance: Underinflated tires also have higher rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. They wear more rapidly at the outer edges of the tread, which means replacement will be necessary sooner than with properly inflated tires.
Overinflation
Since modern tires can easily withstand pressures that exceed those recommended for normal driving, overinflated tires are less of an issue. However, consistently overinflated tires can cause more rapid wear on the center tread, necessitating tire replacement sooner.
How Often Should You Check Your Car Tire Pressure?
You should check your tire pressure no less than once a month. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial for safety, extending your tire's lifespan and ensuring optimal vehicle performance.
Your tire pressure can fluctuate based on seasonal temperature changes and gradual pressure loss. Additionally, check your tire pressure before any long road trip to ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition for highway driving.
How To Maintain Good Car Tire Pressure
Maintaining optimal tire pressure is crucial for safe driving, as it impacts handling, fuel efficiency and helps avoid potential blowouts. Follow these steps to learn how to check tire pressure.
1. Follow Vehicle Manufacturer Recommendations
Refer to your vehicle owner's manual or the tire specification decal on the driver-side door frame. Vehicle manufacturers provide basic tire pressure specifications that may vary from front to rear and when the vehicle is fully loaded or used for extended highway driving.
Keep in mind that some pickups and sport utility vehicles have light-truck tires marked as LT on the sidewalls. Do not use the pressure molded into the tire sidewall, as it indicates the pressure needed to meet the tire's full-rated load-carrying capacity. It is not the ideal tire pressure specified for your vehicle.
The recommended inflation pressure for light-truck tires can vary significantly depending on a vehicle's load and usage. Higher pressures increase load capacity and reduce heat buildup.
For older model cars (before 2003), tire inflation information may be located inside the glove box door, fuel filler flap or trunk lid.
2. Use a Quality Pressure Gauge
Using a quality pressure gauge is important for accurately reading your tire pressure. Dial and digital gauges tend to be more accurate than pencil gauges, which can lose accuracy over time. Quality gauges typically cost between $10 and $20.
3. Check the Tire Pressure at Rest
To most accurately read your tire pressure, you should check the pressures before driving when the tires have been at rest and are not hot. The ideal time to check your pressure is early morning before driving because cooler temperatures provide a more accurate reading.
An increased pressure reading (typically 2-6 PSI higher) is normal when tires are hot.
4. Complete a Visual Inspection
Along with using a pressure gauge to check your tire pressure, you should also visually inspect all your vehicle's tires. Examine each tire for damage, wear and foreign objects such as nails, stones, or glass embedded in the tread. This additional inspection will ensure your tires are optimal for safe driving.
5. Go To a Trusted Auto Repair Facility for Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear and extend tire life, rotate the tires at the intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Have the wheel alignment checked and adjusted as necessary if the car pulls to one side or the tire treads exhibit unusual wear patterns. Consider taking your vehicle to an AAA-approved auto repair facility for professional tire rotation.
How To Inflate Your Tires
When inflating your tires, it's crucial to follow the correct steps. If you're doing it yourself, here's a guide:
- Remove the valve caps.
- Attach the nozzle of an air pump or air compressor to the valve stem.
- Turn on the compressor or air pump.
- Once the desired PSI is reached, turn off the compressor/pump and remove the nozzle.
- Double-check your tire pressure.
- Replace the valve stem caps.
Alternatively, you can visit an AAA-approved auto repair shop, which often provides tire refill services and other automotive assistance during a car tune-up.
Car Tire Pressure FAQ
Below are commonly asked questions about good car tire pressure.
What Is the Best Tire Pressure for Driving in the Snow?
Contrary to misconceptions, lowering your tire pressure isn't advisable for driving in snow. Instead, adhere to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for various weather conditions.
While some suggest underinflating your winter tires to increase traction on snow, it's better to slightly over-inflate them, perhaps by 3-5 PSI, to offset pressure decreases in colder temperatures. Always consult your owner's manual for the recommended tire pressure.
What Is the Best Tire Pressure for Driving in the Rain?
For safer driving in rainy conditions, stick to the normal tire pressure outlined in your owner's manual. Driving with underinflated tires could heighten the chances of hydroplaning. Before heading out in heavy rain, always verify that your tire pressure aligns with the vehicle's standard.
Prioritize Your Tires With AAA
Checking your car's tire pressure should be a part of your car maintenance checklist to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive on the road. Whether you need your tires inflated or rotated, plan ahead by finding an auto repair shop and technician you can trust before you need them.
AAA Auto Repair provides information on nearly 7,000 Approved Auto Repair facilities that have met AAA's high standards. AAA members also receive special benefits, including auto repair discounts, an extended 24-month/24,000-mile parts and labor warranty, and AAA assistance in resolving repair-related issues.