Tips for adjusting tire pressure for optimal fuel efficiency
Many car owners don’t give their tires a second thought once they’re installed. However, maintaining this part of your vehicle, especially the tire pressure, is crucial to your safety and your vehicle’s performance.
Why tire pressure matters
Improperly inflated tires increase your risk of various problems:
- decreased fuel efficiency
- abnormal tire wear (leading to more frequent changes)
- poor traction, especially when braking and cornering
- overheated tires, which can lead to blowouts
According to a study on tire inflation conducted by the Government of Canada, 10% of vehicles have at least one tire under-inflated by about 20%. Aside from being a serious safety hazard, underinflation can reduce tire life by 15,000 kilometres and increase fuel consumption by 4%.
Tire inflation tips
To prioritize your safety and to get the most out of your vehicle, keep these tire inflation tips in mind.
1. Learn how to use a tire pressure gauge
A tire pressure gauge is a quick and easy way to check your tire pressure from your own driveway (or anywhere on the go).
Start by taking the tire valve cap off the valve stem. If you have steel wheels and wheel covers, you may have to remove the wheel cover to access the valve. Next, align the opening of the tire pressure gauge with the tip of the valve stem and press firmly. You may hear a brief hiss of air. If the hissing continues, it means you haven’t properly aligned the gauge with the valve stem. Keep adjusting the angle until the hissing stops.
Once you have the gauge in place, read the pressure. Some gauge models retain the pressure reading even after being removed from the valve stem, which is useful if the tire is in an awkward position.
2. Find out how much air you need
Don’t make the mistake of inflating your tires to the maximum PSI listed on the tire sidewall; that’s not the correct pressure specification. Instead, look for the “Tire and Loading Information” sticker, located on the driver-side door or door jamb. Most passenger cars have a recommended PSI of 30 to 35.
This information can also be found in your owner’s manual, which you should keep in the glove box with your tire pressure gauge.
When inflating, do so slowly and evenly to avoid overinflation. Keep a portable tire inflator in your trunk so you can fill your tires whenever needed.
3. When to check and adjust tire pressure
Tire pressure changes with temperature, usage, time, and damage. Because of these variables, Transport Canada recommends drivers check pressure levels at least once a month.
Tire inflation should always be checked and adjusted when the tires are “cold,” or when they haven’t been driven in at least three hours. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning before you start driving.
You can also refer to your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for advice on when to adjust the air pressure.
Keeping up with maintenance
These simple tire inflation tips take only a few minutes of your time but can make a great difference in your vehicle’s performance. Add checking the tire pressure to your monthly car maintenance routine so you can depend on your tires to get you where you need to go.
For more tire maintenance tips, check out this article. For any questions about proper tire inflation, visit a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.
Photo: iStock-942213108