Three reasons you should care about your tyre pressure
Importance of tyre pressure
Have you checked your tyre pressure this month?
If the answer’s no, it could be costing you at the pump (not to mention vehicle safety and performance). Here’s how keeping your tyres at the correct pressure could help you save now and in the future.
What is tyre pressure?
Car tyre pressure refers to the amount of air inside a tyre in PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals). Tyres naturally lose air over time, which compromises their safety, longevity and fuel economy. That’s why maintaining their pressure is crucial for ensuring proper stability, even wear, and rolling resistance on the road.
Remember to adjust your tyre pressure to suit your driving conditions
Towing, heavy loads, off-roading and driving on soft sand each can come with different tyre pressure requirements.
If your vehicle’s carrying a heavy load or towing a trailer, you’ll likely need a higher tyre pressure, but if you’re off-roading or driving on soft sand, you’ll need lower pressure to tackle these surfaces.
If you don’t readjust your tyre pressure before you get back on the highway, you’ll probably notice that your tyres are noisier than usual. More importantly though, running on significantly low pressures on the road can lead to the tyres overheating and failing.
4WD 24/7 presenter Graham Cahill says the lower your tyre pressure is, the more surface area is in contact with the road.
Watch Graham Cahill’s Bridgestone Dueler A/T 697 tyre pressure tips
“You’re creating more tyre wear – and the more your tyres wear, the noisier they get,” - says Graham.
Three reasons why tyre pressure matters
Tyre pressure impacts both your vehicle’s safety and performance. We recommend monitoring your tyre pressure monthly to help keep your loved ones safe on the road, improve fuel efficiency and extend tyre wear life.
1. Safety and performance
Under-inflated tyres can affect handling and braking, increase stopping distances and reduce vehicle control. They also increase the risk of a tyre blowout, especially at high speeds. Over-inflated tyres, on the other hand, have less contact with the road, which affects traction and stability – particularly in wet or slippery conditions.
2. Fuel efficiency
Proper tyre pressure will boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel.
3. Wear life
Low pressure causes the outer edges of tyres to wear faster, while over-inflated tyres wear quickly in the centre. Both conditions lead to uneven tread wear, which reduces tyre lifespan and compromises performance.
How to check your tyre pressure
Once you know your vehicle’s ideal tyre pressure, use a tyre pressure gauge on cold tyres to check their current level. If they need a top-up, you can use a portable air compressor or visit your local petrol station. Air compressors are usually free to use, and can automatically fill tyres to your chosen pressure.
How to fill your tyres at your local service station
Once you know your vehicle’s ideal tyre pressure, use a tyre pressure gauge on cold tyres to check their current level. If they need a top-up, you can use a portable air compressor or visit your local petrol station. Air compressors are usually free to use, and can automatically fill tyres to your chosen pressure.
