Importance Of Tire Pressure
Posted on August 12, 2020
As a leading car service centre in Bolton, ON, Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has always put customer safety above all else. That's why we think it is critical to talk about the importance of tire pressure. Sure, tire pressure isn't as exciting as some of the 21st-century driver-assist technology you'll find on almost any modern car, but that doesn't make it any less significant. Let's take a closer look at why proper tire pressure is such a noteworthy part of your daily car maintenance plan.
Checking Tire Pressure
Monitoring your tire pressure is vital to staying safe on the road. The first thing you need to do is to locate your specific vehicle's specific tire pressure measurements. This information can be found either in your owner's manual or on the tires themselves. Remember that these levels often vary between front and rear tires. When you've established the proper level, the next step is purchasing a good quality tire pressure gauge. We always suggest having one in the car even if you have a tire pressure monitoring system. The best time to check tire pressure is before you do any driving and remember that the temperature outside can play a major role in the reading. Cold weather leads to lower pressure levels, while heat will cause an increase. As far as when to check, the car care team at Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram suggests doing it at least once a month or when there are rapid changes in temperature.
Underinflation
The most common problem with tire pressure is underinflation. While you can spot a severely underinflated tire, you must understand that even the smallest amount of air loss can lead to major problems. An underinflated tire is flatter, which means more of it touches the road. This can cause the outside, or shoulders, of the tire to wear out quickly. When it comes to danger, an underinflated tire is no joke. Because so much of the tire's surface area is in contact with the road, there is an increase in friction, which can overheat the tire rubber. A hot tire is more likely to blowout, which we don't need to tell you is often a precursor to a major accident. One of the other interesting side-effects of an underinflated tire has more to do with your wallet. If you notice your gas costs going up, you might want to first check your tire pressure, because a flatter tire will lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Overinflation
While we usually think of flat tires as a problem, overinflation can also lead to trouble. An overinflated tire is automatically stiffer and less pliable, which reduces the surface area in contact with the road. As you might expect, this makes for a harder ride and can lead to uneven wear. If the tire is only wearing in one area, you're facing a number of possible difficulties including leaving you at a higher risk of damage from road hazards such as potholes. Finally, an overinflated tire reduces traction, which is terrible for braking and handling especially on wet or icy roads.
How Caledon Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Can Help
If you want to learn more about the importance of tire pressure or anything else about car maintenance, you need to talk with the experts at the Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service centre. We're here Monday-Thursday 9:00am-9:00pm and Friday/Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm and booking service is as easy as visiting our website or contacting us today.