Making the mistake of driving on under-inflated tires can prove to be more costly than you think.
According to U.S. Department of Energy, ensuring your tires are always properly inflated can improve gas mileage by up to 3 percent and under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2 percent for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. So, not only is driving with under-inflated tires unhealthy for your vehicle, you will also quickly be burning a hole in your wallet due to avoidable increased fuel costs.
Kal Tire recommends following this easy five-step guide to maintaining tire pressure:
Find the recommended PSI: Find your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure on a sticker on the driver’s side door jam or in your owner’s manual. Something to note: Never use the max PSI listed on the sidewall of your tire. That is the maximum pressure rating for the tire, not the recommended pressure.
Check at the right time: Check your tire pressure when tires are cold – in the morning or a few hours after driving for the most accurate reading.
Use a reliable pressure gauge: Whether you choose a stick, dial, or digital tire pressure gauge, make sure it’s accurate (tire gauges are sensitive to being dropped). After removing the valve cap on the tire, press the tire gauge onto the valve (ensuring you are not using the end that releases air). Now, wait for the pressure reading. For stick gauges, wait until the white plastic stick stops moving; on a dial gauge, wait for the needle to stop.
Inflate as needed: Add just enough air to reach the recommended tire pressure. If you add too much, just push on the metal stem in the centre of the valve to release air.
Remember your spare: After you check and inflate all four of your tires, do the same for your spare to ensure it’s ready to perform in the event of a flat tire.
www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2018/05/why-driving-on-underflated-tires-is-bad.html
By: Chidi Ohiaeri