Description:
Proper tire inflation pressure is the
specified air pressure given by a carmaker for a certain tire
on a specific vehicle. This pressure specification should not be confused
with a tire's maximum pressure, which
is usually listed on the tire's sidewall. Some vehicles may
specify different pressures for the front tires and
the rear tires.
Purpose: Correct inflation pressure is
critical for
good fuel economy,
safety, maximum tire life, and proper vehicle handling
performance.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: For the small amount of time it takes,
checking tire inflation at least once a month is one of the best
investments you can make to get the maximum life out of your tires.
Proper inflation can also improve gas mileage by more than 3%, when
maintained regularly. Keep this in mind: Under-inflated tires can
lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi (pounds per square
inch) drop in pressure of all four tires. You may want to check your
tires more often during the winter months. Tires will lose about 1
psi of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature drop.
Keep an accurate
tire pressure gauge in
your car's glove box (many gauges
at "air stations" give false pressure readings) and check the tire
pressure when the tires are cold. Never trust the appearance
of a tire as a gauge for inflation. A
tire could be 10 psi low on pressure and not appear to
be low on air. Use the recommended inflation pressure listed
in your vehicle's owner's manual or on
the inflation sticker found on the driver's door jamb. While
you're at it, don't forget to check
the spare. There's nothing more annoying than a flat spare
when you have a flat tire.
