How to measure car tire pressure

Maintaining the correct tire pressure in your car prolongs tire life, improves fuel economy, and gives you better control over your vehicle and its behavior, whether it's cornering or braking.

What pressure is right for my tires

The first thing to note is that there is no single pressure for all cars, since each will have its own recommendation depending on its characteristics. However, it can be said that a tire whose pressure fluctuates between 2 and 2.5 bar will be within the normal inflation range.

To determine which measurement is correct, it is enough just to find the reference sticker on our own car, on which we can find out the manufacturer's recommended pressure, whether you are traveling alone or if the car is loaded. This is usually the driver's door, although it can also be found on the fuel cap. If you cannot find this sticker, we can always refer to the owner's manual of the car.

How to check tire pressure

As a rule of thumb, it's ideal to have your tire pressure checked once a month, and also before you make a long trip or if you're going to carry extra cargo. It is very important to note that the checks should be made before the start of the ride, not during it, as the temperature increase caused by the friction of the rubber itself on the asphalt leads to an increase in tire pressure, so the readings obtained will be incorrect.

The tire pressure should always be checked with cold tires. However, if the measurement is taken while hot, 0.2 or 0.3 bar must be added to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer.

When measuring pressure, try to drive no more than five kilometers or wait a while until the tires cool down.

The pressure is checked with a pressure gauge at home or at a gas station with a device for which we may be asked for a small amount of money at some gas stations.

So, all you have to do is remove the plug from the end of the air valve, put it in a safe place, and then quickly and firmly install the sensor by pressing on it until the whistle of escaping air is no longer audible.

Readings, mainly in kg/cm2, will be displayed on the pressure gauge, so they will need to be compared with the manufacturer's recommendations. If it is higher, it is enough to press the button on the pressure gauge or on the valve itself to release some air. It may be necessary to repeat the operation several times until the pressure is adequate. In case the readings are lower, it is necessary to press the opposite button on the specified device to inflate the tire. After performing the operation, the previously removed plug should be screwed into place.

Last but not least, remember to check the spare tire pressure, which is rated for a top speed of 80 km/h and a tire pressure of 3.5 to 4.5 bar.

Pressure higher than recommended

This is one of the most frequently asked questions as many drivers do not know for sure what the consequences of over-inflating their car tires will be. The first thing that might be noticed is a decrease in ride comfort as the car will lose its ability to absorb the bumps in the asphalt, mainly due to the change in footprint resulting in less tire contact with the road.

For this reason, traction will also be worse and the car will be more difficult to steer, at the same time it will lead to uneven wear - more will be spent in the center - and damage to the structure of the rubber. Another consequence occurs when braking, since with a smaller area of contact with the ground, the braking distance will be longer.

Pressure below recommended

If we notice stiffer or heavier steering, this could be a sign that our tire pressures are lower than recommended.

This is noticeable not only in the steering wheel, but also in fuel consumption, since a tread with more friction on the ground will wear more, especially on the sides, and will lead to higher fuel consumption.

In addition, the temperature inside the tire will rise, and this can lead to weakening of the shell and causing internal damage to the rubber, and even to its rupture. And all this without forgetting that the car can play a cruel trick on us, as it becomes more difficult to drive a car, and we can lose control of the vehicle. Similarly, braking distances will increase and hydroplaning can start much earlier.