Suddenly Summer--What's that got to do with tire pressure?
Yesterday I was driving my car that has brand new tires on it, when a light came on in the dashboard indicating issues with the tire pressure.
“Darn it,” I thought, “I bet the tires weren’t installed correctly and have a bad seal that is leaking air.”
So I asked a friend to take the car to the gas station to check the tire pressure and see if they needed air. (Yes, I know, I could have done that myself but …)
So this morning I got into my car and started driving, and that darn light was flashing again. This time I drove to the tire place and asked them to see if there was a bad seal on my new tires or if I had run over a nail or something. Boy was I surprised by what they told me! My tires weren’t low on air, they were actually OVER-Inflated! With the quick jump in temperature—25 degrees in two days—the air inside the tires had expanded. Plus, my friend used the gauge at the gas station air pump to check the pressure, and looked at the sidewall of the tire to see what psi (pounds per square inch) number was recommended. WRONG!
The correct place to find the pressure that is right for your tires is to look at the tire information placard that’s usually mounted inside the frame of the driver’s door. (On some cars it is affixed to the inside of the glove box or inside the fuel door.) Good to know!
The kind folks at the tire store let out some air from my tires, and I was on my way. The tire pressure light was no longer flashing. (BTW, never let out air pressure in a hot tire—I had only driven less than a mile.)
Here are the top three tire tips for the day:
1. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, and before going on a long trip, especially if the outside temperature has changed rapidly—either up or down.
2. Look for the tire information that is mounted on the inside of the driver’s door for the correct tire pressure.
3. Don’t rely on the often inaccurate tire pressure gauges at gas station air pumps. Keep a reliable pressure gauge in your glove box.
An additional tip—it isn’t rocket science—learn how to check the air pressure yourself!
Happy summer!
More Than Wheels
Did You Know?
Since 2001, More Than Wheels has helped nearly 1,500 families finance more than $15 million in loans so they can buy a reliable car and plan for the future.