How much pressure should your tires be?
Content
Timely checking the pressure in the tires of the car guarantees a high level of safety while driving. This need is due to the hypersensitivity of modern tubeless tires, due to which every pit, curb or speed bump on the way is a serious obstacle that reduces the pressure inside the tires.
Since many motorists are accustomed to determining the pressure in the tires of a car with an immodest kick on the wheel, they are unlikely to be able to determine the exact indicators in this way. This is where all the problems stem from, because a significant decrease in pressure can cause a lot of trouble, up to emergency situations. With optimal tire pressure indicators, the driver can fully feel not only the driving comfort, but also confidence in his own safety.
Tire pressure recommended by car manufacturers
Each automaker has its own standards and recommendations regarding tire inflation pressure, which should be followed. You can find this information:
In the manual for the repair and operation of the car;
Table with pressure indicators on the doors on the driver's side or on the gas tank hatch;
In the form of a QR code (relevant for the most "fresh" models, usually located on the car door, the middle pillar of the body or the gas tank hatch cover).
The manufacturer indicates not only the optimal level of tire pressure, but also the limits to which it can be increased or decreased relative to the norm. The amount of pressure depends on the size of the tires, on some cars the recommended pressure for the rear and front wheels differs. In general, for most passenger cars, the recommended constant tire pressure ranges from 2-2,5 atmospheres. This is the norm not only for a comfortable and safe ride, but also for fuel economy.
Tire manufacturers also indicate pressure on the label. But, the number on the sidewall of the tire is an indicator of the maximum pressure that the tire can endure and not burst.
If you could not find your car manufacturer's recommendations for the correct pressure, you can call any official dealer of the company or use the following table of average values for all brands of cars and trucks:
How to read a tire pressure chart?
So, opening the gas tank hatch or the door on the driver's side, you will see a table with indicators of the correct pressure. First, we determine the "index" of the tire installed on your car:
profile width (mm);
the ratio of the height and width of the profile (%);
wheel diameter (inches);
index of maximum tire load (kg).
For example, tires with parameters 195/55R16 87H. We find this “formula” in the plate and in the same line we see the numbers indicating the optimal pressure in the tires. Most often they are indicated in two dimensions - bar and psi. For example, 2.2 (32).
The first category of numbers shows the pressure for the front tires, the second - for the rear tires. As a rule, these groups of numbers are the same, for rare models they differ.
Why is tire pressure monitoring so important?
If the pressure level is not optimal, then the area of contact of the tire with the road surface is reduced, which can lead to big troubles. There are two options: overpressure and underpressure. Excessive pressure can affect:
Increased wear of the suspension and tread in its central part;
Reducing the damping function of the tire. It also feels bouncing and stiff while riding;
Increasing the likelihood of tire damage when hitting some kind of obstacle or pit;
Reduced handling due to reduced grip area. Especially grip is reduced in winter, so overinflated tires increase the likelihood of an accident. This is the reason why it is important to keep the pressure in the tires of the car at a certain level in winter.
Insufficient tire pressure is even worse. It can lead to:
Serious deformation of the tire, due to which it can collapse while driving;
An increase in air temperature, and as a result of delamination of the base - an “explosion” of the tire;
Increased wear of the tread shoulder areas;
Increased risk of aquaplaning;
Disassembly of tires on corners;
An increase in fuel burned, and as a result, high financial costs.
Reduced pressure is also reflected in the motorist's wallet: a 20% drop in air pressure reduces the tire life by 25-30% and increases fuel costs by about 3%. Air pressure has a big impact on gas mileage, so this point should be carefully monitored.
A few precautions can help save tires. In addition, the car will drive more stably. If the tires are fully inflated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, then the likelihood of deformation of the side parts of the rubber, as well as wear of the tread pattern, is significantly reduced.
If the pressure in the tires is not well looked after, then a variety of troubles can appear. Due to improper air distribution, the grip properties of the wheel deteriorate. The tires will wear out before the expected time, and you will need to change it.
The pressure should be checked periodically and optimized if necessary. Everyone knows that during operation it gradually decreases. Depending on the time of year, this can be faster (in cold winters) or slower (in warm summers), but this process does not stop and needs to be controlled. Also, if, due to the negligence of the driver, the car drove through the pit, then the pressure can drop sharply.
However, the worst situation is when the pressure indicators on all wheels differ. In this case, the car rolls towards the least inflated wheel. Fuel consumption can increase up to 10%. At the same time, there are a number of cases when a deliberate deviation of tire pressure from the norm by 10-12% can resolve a difficult situation. For example, lowering can help out on bumps, sand, viscous mud or wet grass - the wheel artificially becomes soft and behaves like caterpillars, increasing cross-country ability. Small pumping is shown when driving on highways at high speeds. Adding atmospheres for the rear wheels makes it easier to haul cargo.
When to check tire pressure?
According to the technical regulations, it is necessary to measure tire pressure once a month. If the winter period has come, then the check must be carried out 1 times a month. But remember that air is a gaseous substance. It expands when heated and contracts when cold. Therefore, do not check the pressure immediately after stopping the car. Tires need to cool down. The same with low cold, the device is guaranteed to show a lower pressure, which will return to normal after driving, when the air in the tire warms up.
How to measure tire pressure?
Many car owners instinctively kick the wheel with their foot, checking the tank for the presence of air. This method works only partially, when the tire is completely empty and it is no longer possible to drive. Correctly measure the presence of pressure in tires, it is possible only with the help of a pressure gauge. It is not difficult to buy a device, it is sold in any auto shop. How do you measure tire pressure yourself?
Check the pressure before driving, while the air in the wheels is cold.
We put the car on a flat area, without stops on ledges or collisions with stones and mounds.
We unscrew the cap of the nipple and press the pressure gauge against the pumping fitting for 1-2 seconds. The connection must be as tight as possible.
We repeat the action 2-3 times, this will help determine a more accurate value without error;
If there is not enough pressure, then you need to take the pump and inflate the tire to the required value. After pumping, you need to read the pressure parameters again (the presence of a pressure gauge on the pump does not ensure the accuracy of measurements).
If the pressure is above normal, you need to remove it. At the same time, we periodically measure the amount of air. Then we screw the cap onto the tire fitting and move on to the next tire.
Carefully study the scale of measuring units of the pressure gauge, which can be: Bar, kPa, kg / cm2 and PSi (pounds) - the measures are different. For example, 2,2 (Bar) equals 220 (kPa) or 31.908 (Psi).
The second way to check pressure is with automatic tire pressure monitoring systems. For example, premium cars are equipped with direct pressure sensors that are installed directly into the wheel rim. Sensors measure tire pressure and temperature, and the information is sent to the on-board computer. When pressure indicators change, a warning signal is received, or information is displayed on the computer panel in digital and alphabetic form. Similar direct control devices can be purchased and installed separately: pressure control sensors are installed in the wheels, and the receiving device is installed in the passenger compartment.
A similar system is part of the anti-lock braking system (ABS), but it works differently. The ABS system does not measure tire pressure, but wheel speed, and draws conclusions. The fact is that when the pressure decreases, the diameter of the tire changes, and the wheel starts spinning faster in order to “catch up” with the rest. The system captures these changes, checks them against valid values stored in memory, and informs you of the mismatch.
You can also check the pressure using indicator caps that are screwed onto the tire valves. These pressure sensors are transparent on top, and this part serves as an indicator: the change in color indicates the current state of the wheels. The obvious disadvantages of such a control system are that it is impossible to evaluate the change in tire pressure during movement with its help; a stop and a visual inspection are necessary.
When should you increase or decrease tire pressure?
In the manuals for the operation of vehicles, the operating pressure values \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbare more often indicated at partial load and less often at full load. Almost all car owners, as a rule, know only one value - the first. The fact that after a full load it increases, and even more so about how it should be, rarely anyone thinks. Therein lies the danger. Imagine that you are very loaded car and somewhere on the track you want to measure the pressure. Instead of the prescribed two atmospheres, the pressure gauge will show all three, which is above the norm. There is only one reaction to this - to bring the pressure to normal, that is, to lower the tires. As a result, a loaded car will move on half-flat wheels, which entails a decrease in their resource and an increase in consumption.
For off-road driving and when overcoming water obstacles, tire pressure can not be changed. In really difficult conditions, with a lack of traction, you can gradually reduce the pressure to improve traction. After overcoming a difficult area, it is imperative to restore normal pressure. In any case, in order to avoid tire damage, it is not necessary to reduce the tire pressure below 1 atm.
When riding on rocks and snow, maintain the correct pressure, as low pressure increases the risk of tire damage. To overcome loose sand, the pressure can be reduced to increase traction.
The correct tire pressure allows you to use the maximum capabilities of the car, increases the life of the tires. Tire pressure directly affects safety, handling and driving comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly inflate the tires and regularly measure the level of tire pressure. Let driving your car be only a joy!
