The importance of tire pressure

It is best to get the accurate reading when tires are cold

The next time you reluctantly clamber out f your trusty four wheeled steed, spare a thought for those tires.

You can check your cars recommended tire pressure in the owners Manual or inside the door on the drivers side. It is advisable to find out the accurate tire pressure reading when the tires are cold, not when they have been on the road As friction between the road and the tires yields heat thus increasing tire pressure.

Use a tire pressure gauge from any reputable auto equipment retailer. Do not rely on tire pressure gauges at gas stations .often these do not work well and will not be able to tell you whether you have an equal and adequate amount of air in your tires for safe driving.

Tires expand under pressure created by external heat . This is not good news for the inner workings of the tire because as the heat builds up, the tire morphs under the heat often resulting in blowouts and unsafe tire pressure. This would lead to an unnecessary increase in fuel consumption.

Don't rely on visual checks or eyeballing the tires to see if they are in good shape. The heat impacts all tires giving any driver an unbalanced and an uneven driving experiences

It is  also worth remembering that the caps that cover the valves are there to keep dirt and dust off the tires as these often brings a slow, steady decrease in performance.

Handy hints

- if possible check your tire pressure weekly

- use a personal gauge from a reliable retailer

- don't rely on eyeballing to check for wear and tear.