Tyre Pressures
The majority of drivers seem to think that their car is an inanimate object which will go on and on for ever without the slightest bit of attention.
They expect to come running out in the morning, fire up the old jalopy, screech down the road and roar off to their latest destination without giving their steed a second thought. Even putting screen washer into the bottle is regarded as an irksome and irritating task.
So when it comes to checking tyre pressures, many people just can’t be bothered, waiting until the tyre has to be repaired, to be replaced after a puncture, or pumped up for an MOT, or service.
But this should not be the case. A car is a sophisticated piece of engineering and relies on a huge number of parts all working in harmony.
The tyres are an integral part of the car. Without them performing properly, not only will a driver hurt his wallet, he will risk damage to his car and also risk his life.
Consider that most cars can reach 100 mph these days and at that speed, you best hope that everything about the car is ship-shape.
Incorrectly blown up tyres could cause the car to aquaplane on a very wet road, fail to hold the line in a corner, or make it difficult to stop the car when braking. Manufacturers provide strict guidelines when it comes to the amount of air that should be in their tyres. Ignore that on a regular basis, and you are taking unnecessary risks.
Tyre pressures can reduce on a daily basis, caused by varying air temperatures, small leaks (say from damaged tyre walls, or bent wheels which break the tyre seal), or hard use on a long drive, or across a pot-holed road.
And even if you overlook the dangers on running on below pressure tyres, then think about the effect on your wallet. Incorrectly inflated tyres will wear out quicker and will need replacing earlier than well cared for tyres. Also, wrongly inflated tyres will increase the petrol consumption, sometimes by quite a factor, so losing a few miles every gallon will hurt your bank balance, as well as the planet.
So, check your tyres regularly and just make sure you know how to inflate your tyres at the local garage.
Those garages that use the old air lines with a gauge in the steel handset, are a bit trickier than the modern automated inflators, but with a little practice, anyone can get the hang of it.
Firstly, just have go around each tyre and unscrew the valve cap. Whilst taking the cap off, have a quick look at the tyre itself. See if you have an uneven tread (which might tell you that the car is running untrue), or even that the tread is below the legal limit (get them replaced immediately; it’s a lot cheaper than a fine, and a lot safer). Also, if you see a nail, or other sharp object in the tyre, don’t pull it out. It will most probably be sealing the leak it caused and once out, the tyre will need to be repaired.
So, get the airline handset and place the end of the line attachment onto your tyre valve. You should feel the resistance and if you quickly press the air plunger on the handset, then release it, the handset gauge will tell you the tyre’s pressure in BAR (metric), or PSI (imperial measurements). You’ll find your car’s tyres optimum air pressure range in the car handbook, near the car driver’s door, on a board at the garage, or find out before by looking it up on the web. The range covers the car with only a driver in, to one with a load of passengers and luggage. Then keep pressing the plunger until the tyre is inflated to the right amount.
With the more modern automated machines, it’s simplicity itself. You set the digital reading on the machine and place the airline attachment over your valve and wait until the buzzer sounds. Hey presto, a correctly inflated tyre.
Also, it’s a good idea to buy your own inflation gauge which is about the size of a fat pen, fits in the glove compartment and will give you an accurate reading each time you inflate your tyres. The trouble with some garage equipment is that it is wholly inaccurate and could lead to a false impression.
So, there you have it; set yourself a little rule. Maybe once a week, or on the tenth visit to buy petrol, drive over to the airline and spend a few minutes checking those tyres. It could provide dividends, in more ways than one.
This article was wrote by eCommerce Associate for Car Breakdowns
About the Author:eCommerce Associates work with some of the UK's top merchants and brands in
the affiliate market. eCommerce eCommerce Associates work with some of the UK's top merchants and brands i the affiliate market. eCommerce Associates have three blog sites http://ecommerce-associates.info/ , http://leisure-activities.blogware.com/blog and http://financial-news.org.uk/ where all of our articles can be viewed.
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