Tyre Safe offers a range of resources for vehicle owners to check their pressures. However it is always advisable to check the setting recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
It is impossible to overestimate how important tyre pressure is. Tyres inflated to the correct pressure make your car safer on the road, reduces the chances of an incident and will save you money.
Pressure affects the tyre’s speed capability, load carrying capacity, handling response, wear rate and overall safety. Underinflated tyres also use more fuel.
Poor handling and grip, unreliability and unpredictable vehicle behaviour are among the effects of incorrect tyre pressure. Low tyre pressure will increase the chances of tyres suffering catastrophic failure. Under-inflated tyres are not only dangerous, they also will increase the running costs of your car. You will use more fuel and your tyres will wear out more quickly.
Over-inflation will round out the middle of the tread pattern, and the tyre will have a reduced contact area with the road, causing it to wear out more quickly. The handling and braking will also be affected.
You should try to check your tyre pressure every month or before every long journey. While your car is likely to have a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), you should always use an accurate pressure gauge to check the settings are correct. TPMS is designed to be a critical warning system and not a reminder to check the vehicle’s tyres.
To manually check your tyre pressure you should use a tyre pressure gauge or go to a petrol station to use the gauges there. You can find out the correct tyre pressure for your car in your vehicle manual, on a plaque in one of the front door sills or the inside of your fuel cap. Or you can enter your registration number into our tyre pressure calculator to find the correct PSI for your car.
The main effects of incorrect tyre pressure is loss of control, handling and grip on the road. This can happen in any conditions, but in wet weather it can lead to aquaplaning or hydroplaning. This is when too much water builds up between the tyre and the road surface, and is caused by insufficient tread depth and incorrect tyre pressure.
If you find your car aquaplaning, you should gradually take your foot off the accelerator, depress the clutch, hold the steering wheel firmly and avoid braking suddenly. If there is danger of a collision drivers should attempt an emergency stop – the rear tyres should have sufficient grip to slow the car down. Aquaplaning is a sure sign that your tread depth is too low or your tyres are under or over inflated.