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How to inflate tires? What do you need to know about checking and topping up car tire pressure?
How to inflate tires? What do you need to know about checking and topping up car tire pressure?
Greater safety, better grip, shorter braking distances, lower fuel consumption and extended tire life - air is necessary for life not only for humans, but also for all four tires in your car. Correct tire pressure guarantees better, safer and more economical driving. Unfortunately, many drivers underestimate the problem of too low tire pressure.
From the article you will learn:
- What is the correct tire pressure,
- What are the effects of too low and too high tire pressure?
- Is it worth inflating tires with nitrogen?
- How to measure blood pressure and how to top it up.
Correct tire pressure
Incorrect tire pressure worsens the driving characteristics of the car. From the safety point of view - it extends the braking distance, from the economic point of view - it accelerates tread wear, from the ecological point of view - it increases fuel consumption and thus increases the vehicle operating costs. This is what we want to avoid! The pressure value should always be the same on the same axis.
Each car manufacturer specifies the pressure value for a given model. Information about this can be found in the car's owner's manual and a plate - now increasingly often a sticker - placed on the inside of the pillar, in the glove box or on the fuel filler cap. You should pay attention to variable values depending on the number of passengers or luggage transported.
Tire pressure is most often given in bars, the unit of which roughly corresponds to the atmosphere, kilopascals (kPa), or in the British measurement system as psi. However, let's assume the bar used in Poland. On average, the pressure in a passenger car is from 2,2 to 2,5 bar.
Typically, a sticker or placard in your car provides recommendations for the correct tire pressure in bars. However, if this is not the case, below is the conversion rate for individual measurement systems:
1 kPa = 0,01 bar = 0,01 at = 0,145 psi
Importantly, the tire pressure is influenced by the ambient temperature. As it decreases, we have lower pressure, differences at 10 degrees C can be up to 0,2 bar. Therefore, it is worth increasing the pressure in winter tires.
Tire pressure should be checked regularly. If the tires are less than 5 years old, it is recommended to perform this operation once a month. In the case of older tires, this should be done more often. Of course, let's never forget about this before any long journey. Tire pressure should always be checked when cold, i.e. after parking for several hours. Otherwise, the value will always be higher because air as a mixture of gases changes its volume under the influence of temperature.
When is the best time to check tire pressure?
Where do you most often check tire pressure and fill them with air? Is this a gas station? Most drivers will answer yes to this question. The problem, however, is that they don't do it regularly. Perhaps this is due to lack of time, too many cars waiting for air in their tires, or maybe they simply do not see the need.
We will make this task easier for you - measuring the pressure in car tires does not have to involve a visit to a gas station or a tire repair shop. A small one is enough pressure gauge, which is worth having in the trunk. Moje Auto Virage's offer includes two types of car tire pressure gauges with a clock face - a version measuring pressure up to 3 bar and 5,5 bar. They can be used to inspect tires on two-wheelers, passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and trailers. Just unscrew the valve, attach the tip of the pressure gauge to it, and the needle on the scale dial will show the actual value.
If there is a difference from the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer, it must be equalized. A helpful tool will be the Moje Auto Virage car compressor, equipped with a pressure hose with a blocked valve tip and a three-meter cable - it is connected to a typical 12 V cigarette lighter socket. It is also worth having it at home for other reasons. You can use it not only to inflate tires, but also sports equipment.
Tire pressure too low - crap
Check, what tire maintenance product to choose!
Tire pressure too low – what does it mean?
Low tire pressure is most often the result of a damaged tire. It may also happen that the problem occurs only with the fan itself. As you already know, temperature also affects pressure - when it is low, the pressure also decreases. This is best illustrated by the following example: we inflate the tire to 2 bars at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius; when the temperature drops to -10 degrees Celsius, the pressure in our tire is only 1,7 bar.
Without a doubt, too low tire pressure has a very negative impact on driving safety. Tires are more susceptible to aquaplaning. What is this phenomenon? It occurs when the tread is unable to effectively shed water. At the point of contact with the ground, the so-called water wedge. This is what causes the tire to lose its grip. It's easy to have an accident in such circumstances.
The facts clearly show that driving on tires with too low pressure has a negative impact on both the safety of passengers, the quality of travel and the costs of vehicle operation. Pressure reduced by 0,5 bar reduces tread life by 20-30%, and tire life may be reduced by up to 40%.
High tire pressure – how to react?
Too low tire pressure has a negative impact on driving quality and safety. However, if we overdo it and the tires have too much pressure, we also have to take into account the consequences. Driving with a heavy load, contrary to our assumptions, may result in increased blood pressure.
We usually do not check tire pressure after a long drive with a heavier than usual load. And that's a big mistake! Too high pressure reduces the contact area between the tire and the ground. So the tires have limited grip in these circumstances. We will feel greater shocks, which will result in premature wear of body parts. There may also be problems with the electronic system or loose suspension. You should also be aware that too high a tire pressure causes it to wear unevenly. We also cannot forget about comfort, which is much lower due to the stronger shocks.
Moje Auto Virage - Blood Pressure Monitor for Passenger Cars Range 0-3 Bar
Where to buy View productHow to measure car tire pressure?
With a pressure gauge at home, you can check your tire pressure at any time. It is also worth taking it on a further journey.
How to measure car tire pressure?
- Connect the pressure gauge to the tire valve, holding it with the glass facing the wheel.
- Press the tip of the pressure gauge tightly against the valve.
- Read the value and disconnect the pressure gauge from the valve.
- Press the red button with your finger - the pointer will return to the zero position.
How to inflate a tire with a car compressor?
If the tire pressure is too low, use car compressor in order to inflate them. Remember to secure the vehicle against movement. Put the car in gear or put on the handbrake.
- Connect the compressor tip to the tire valve.
- Plug the cable into the cigarette lighter socket.
- Inflate the tire for no longer than 10 minutes.
Do you know that correctly inflated tires reduce fuel consumption by up to 0,3 l/100 km? Imagine how much you can save when driving frequently around the city or on long journeys. However, the most important thing is driving safety. Without proper tire pressure, the risk of accidents is much greater. Don't take risks, be a responsible driver.
Is it worth inflating tires at a gas station?
A gas station seems to be the most convenient place to check the tire pressure and whether the tires need to be inflated. Compressors are located at many facilities and their use is usually free.
Public availability is an undoubted advantage, but there are several problems with using tire inflation equipment at gas stations. The first is distance.
If you live in a place where there is no gas station nearby and you have to drive several kilometers to get there, your tire pressure gauge may read incorrectly. Why? Because the tires may have already warmed up, which will lead to a change in air volume.
Moreover, compressors at gas stations are often not in the best condition. One of the typical faults is damage to the hose end. Due to this defect, it will not stick to the valve. Moreover, damaged equipment may cause us to accidentally release some of the air from the tire instead of increasing the tire pressure.
Compressors at gas stations may also indicate incorrect tire pressure. For this reason, after inflation, the tire pressure may be too high or still too low.
Of course, not every compressor at a gas station will malfunction. However, it is a good idea to purchase a portable blood pressure monitor to verify whether the pressure gauge readings are consistent with the actual situation.
Inflating tires with nitrogen versus inflating with air
Tires are most often inflated with compressed air, a mixture of atmospheric gases. An alternative to this method is the use of nitrogen.
Why is it worth considering inflating tires with nitrogen, if almost 80% of the air consists of this gas anyway? Mainly because the pure nitrogen used to fill the tires is separated from oxygen.
Thanks to this, after inflating the tires with nitrogen, the rubber does not oxidize. The tires will have a longer lifespan. There is also water vapor in the air, so the use of nitrogen may go some way to stopping the corrosion process, which will be especially important in the case of steel rims.
Moreover, it is estimated that tires inflated with nitrogen maintain pressure three times longer compared to tires with atmospheric air. This is due to, among others, due to lower susceptibility of the gas to temperature changes.
Does it make sense to inflate tires with nitrogen? It may be necessary if you often travel long distances by car. The pressure will be checked less frequently, and the tires will theoretically last longer.
On the other hand, inflating tires with nitrogen can be problematic. You cannot increase or decrease tire pressure yourself. For each inspection or re-inflation, you will need to go to a tire repairer.
How much does it cost to inflate tires?
If you use your own compressor, inflating your tires will actually cost you nothing. The same will happen if you use a compressor at the station. Most often, the use of equipment in such places is free.
Also, the fee paid by the tire repairer should not be high. Often, companies offer the service of checking tire pressure for a symbolic amount, e.g. PLN 10.
You will have to pay if you want to inflate your tires with nitrogen. A fee of approximately PLN 5-10 is charged for one tire, depending on the tire repair shop.
What do you need to know about tire pressure?
- On average, the pressure in a passenger car is from 2,2 to 2,5 bar.
- Lowering the air temperature by 10 degrees C can reduce tire pressure by up to 0,2 bar.
- We can check the tire pressure at a gas station, in a vehicle inspection or tire repair shop, or in your own garage using a small, handy pressure gauge.
- Too low pressure results in aquaplaning. The tread does not drain water properly and the so-called water wedge, as a result of which the tire loses its grip.
- Too high pressure results in limited traction.
- To top up the tire pressure, use a car compressor, which is worth having in your car or home workshop.
