Why tire pressure is important

Each vehicle is different and the pressure required for your tires will be as different.  The only thing that remains the same is how essential it is to know what your tire pressure should be for the vehicle you are driving. 

Because tires are designed to be used on more than one type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list the "maximum permissible inflation pressure" on the tire sidewall. This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

 According to the NHTSA:  It is important to check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once a month for the following reasons:

1. Most tires may naturally lose air over time.
2. Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole or other object or if you strike the curb when parking.
3. With radial tires, it is usually not possible to determine underinflation by visual inspection.

For convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets.

The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when a tire is cold. The term cold does not relate to the outside temperature. Rather, a cold tire is one that has not been driven on for at least three hours. When you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air pressure within them to increase. Therefore, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you must measure tire pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires.

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