Save Gas and Money: How to Keep Tires at the Recommended PSI
You can save 4% on your annual gas costs if you keep your tires at the recommended Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). That could save your family from $100 to $200 dollars annually. To determine and maintain the proper tire pressure requires very little effort. The steps are listed below.
Correct tire pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and wheel to wheel. In fact, the recommended pressure for personal vehicles ranges from 20 to over 50 psi.
The information that tells you the proper tire pressure for your car is listed on a information label. This label is located in a few standard places on your car. The label can be found on the interior of the glove compartment, trunk, or gas tank door or on the side of one of the car doors or on the post inside one of the car doors. If you cannot easily find the label, the owner's manual should include the correct information or tell you where the pressure label is located.
A common misconception is that the pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. It is not. It is actually the maximum tire pressure that the tire can safely be inflated to. This is also usually the pressure that is required to carry the maximum load the tire is rated for.
Once you find the recommended tire pressure then you have to be able to measure the tire pressure on all of your tires to make sure they are at the correct pressure. Here is the correct way to measure tire pressure.
To measure and maintain proper tire pressure:
Step 1:
First and foremost you need a tire pressure gauge. This may seem obvious but many people think they can tell if a tire is low by sight. I would not recommend that. You don't need an expensive gauge. One with a dial is easier to use than the kind with the pop up.
Step 2:
Determine the proper pressure for your tires by checking the pressure label or the owner's manual. Now you are ready to measure.
Step 3:
A tire that is hot, or has just been driven on will have a higher air pressure than that same tire when it is cold. A cold tire is one that has not been driven for at least 3 hours or has been driven 1 mile or less. Air pressure should only be measured when tires are cold. If you measure warm tires your results will be faulty.
Step 4:
Press the pressure gauge onto the valve after removing the valve cap. Be sure the gauge is lined up with the valve properly and press hard so that the pressure gauge seals tightly on the valve. If you hear the whoosh of air escaping disengage the pressure meter from the valve and reseat it.You should not hear any air movement if you have the gauge properly seated. When it is seated correctly you can take the reading on the gauge.
Step 5:
If you find the pressure is low, add air to the tire until you get to the correct air pressure. If you find the tire is over inflated or you put too much air in the tire, you can lower the pressure by pushing on the metal stem at the center of the valve which will allow air to escape from the tire. Measure the air pressure again to make sure you have the correct level and adjust the air in or out again if needed. Repeat measuring and adding or purging air until the desired pressure is reached.
Step 6:
Follow this same procedure for the other three tires.
The standard recommendation that tire experts suggest is to check your tire pressure at least once per month. The tire pressure will change from day to day as air permeates from the tire over time. Heat and driving conditions can accelerate the rate that air pressure is lost. If you are able to check the pressure once each month you can be sure that the tires on your car will remain at the proper pressure all the time.
Follow this advice and you will have more money in your pocket every time you fill up. At the end of the year you will have saved $100 to $200 dollars. It's that easy!
Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page book of automotive industry insider information on saving gas and dollars at the pump. Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
Click here for other unique lower gas costs articles.
About the Author
Rating: Not yet rated