Tire Pressure | Kelley's Auto Repair

Keeping an eye on your tire pressure is important for many reasons. First and foremost, incorrect tire pressure can create safety hazards for you and other motorists near you. Tire pressure also affects ride comfort, fuel economy and tire life.

You should check your tire pressure whenever you visit Kelley?s for an oil change or other service, but certainly no less than monthly and always before a long trip or after your car has been sitting for a long time. You should also check your tire pressure if you notice that any of your tires look flat, your treads are wearing unevenly or feathering, your ride comfort is unusual or your car is not handling like it normally should.

Checking your tire pressure is really easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Above all, you should know that the correct tire pressure for your vehicle is a part of your vehicle information, not the information on the tire itself. The info on the tire usually states the maximum tire pressure, but your vehicles info will tell you the suggested tire pressure for your car. It is usually found in the door jamb, glove compartment or in your vehicle?s owner?s manual.

Unless you?re a pro, a basic gauge is all you will need. You should get your own, as the ones at service stations aren?t always reliable. To check your pressure, first remove the valve stem cap and place it where you will remember to put it back on! With a firm grasp of your gauge, place the gauge?s intake over the tires valve step and press down on it until the gauge give you a reading. Anytime you depress the valve stem, air will flow out, reducing your tire pressure, so it is best to take your measurements quickly. Inflate your tires to add more pressure, and depress the valve stem with your gauge to let air out if you put too much in. When you are done, remember to put the valve stem back on snugly.

Air expands when it gets warmer, increasing pressure, and it contracts when it gets colder, reducing pressure. Driving creates tire heat from friction with the road, so it is best to check your pressure when you haven?t been driving around a lot.

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Source: http://kelleysautorepair.com/?p=244

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