Checking your tyre pressure regularly is one of the simplest ways to stay safe and save money on the road. In this guide, we explain how often to check tyre pressure, why it changes, and how to get it right every time. Learn the key signs of under- or overinflation and when it’s time to upgrade to a fresh set of tyres.
Vehicle maintenance is split into the tasks that can be carried out by car owners themselves, and those tasks that are typically performed by a mechanic during a formal service or MOT.
Checking the pressure of your tyres is something that can be done anytime you visit a local fuel station, using the gas box located just away from the fuel pumps. Not only is checking the pressure of tyres quick and easy using this machine, but it is also incredibly cheap – often requiring less than £1 to effectively check up and top up four tyres.
But how often should you be stopping by your local fuel station to check tyre pressure?
How to Check Tyre Pressure
Checking your tyre pressure is most often done at a garage or fuel station, using the dedicated machine.
However, if you happen to have access to a pressure gauge then you may be able to check your tyre pressure remotely from home.
The first step is to find out what the optimum pressure is for your tyres. This can often be found on the inner sidewall of the driver’s door, with various readings dependent on the amount of luggage and number of passengers. A vehicle which is regularly used to transport heavy loads will require more pressure than a small every day runaround vehicle.
To read and check the pressure of your tyres, you then need to go around and remove the small caps from the tyre valve. Once you’ve set the machine to the desire tyre pressure, fix the compressor nozzle to each valve in turn.
You will see the current tyre pressure on the screen of the gadget, with the machine then adding more air or removing air according to the optimum pressure printed on the inner sidewall of the driver’s door.
Once you’re happy that all four tyres are now set to the correct air pressure, you can screw the valve caps back into place.
And voila! Your vehicle is now road ready and safe to drive in!
How Often to Check Tyre Pressure
It is advised that you follow the above process every month or so.
Regardless of how much driving you do, it’s important to recognise that tyre pressure is directly related to wear and tear and that it needs to be set and maintained at a consistent, optimum level in order to keep you safe on the road.
Let’s take a closer look at why checking tyre pressure is so important.
Why So Regularly?
Tyres need to be maintained at the optimum pressure as identified within the sidewall of the driver’s door. If not, it becomes a matter of safety and convenience, as well as comfort for the driver.
If they are left underinflated, they become less fuel efficient and suffer wear, tear, and damage more quickly.
If they are overinflated, they result in an uncomfortable and bumpy drive – and are often more likely to fall foul of debris on the road and sudden and unexpected blowouts.
Checking tyres regularly ensures that you are able to maintain the pressure and level of air inside your tyres. It’s important to note here that even tyres which are not used or driven on as regularly still need checking, as environmental conditions and every day wear and tear can have an impact on tyre pressure too.
