How to Check Your Vehicle's Tyre Pressure

Making sure your vehicle's tyre pressures are at the right level is important to maintain optimal performance, so you not only fully enjoy every journey but also stay safe on the road. You don't need the help of the professionals to check tyre pressure - it's a task you can complete yourself in just a few moments.

1. Find out the correct pressure

The first step is to find out the correct pressure for the tyres fitted to your vehicle. You can find this information in the owner's manual, and it's also sometimes printed on the inside of the driver's door or the petrol cap. The manufacturer decides upon this figure based on the characteristics of your particular model, and if you cannot find it for any reason you can search online using the vehicle's registration details.

2. Attach a pressure gauge

After you've found out the correct pressure, you'll then need a pressure gauge to measure the current level of the tyres. Both digital and analogue gauges can be purchased for a few pounds at any motoring store. Unscrew the dust cap on the valve, fix the device and record the result.

If the pressure was too low or high

If you find you need to inflate any tyre you can use a foot pump or electric air pump at home, or visit a petrol station, which regularly include their own facilities. If the pressure is too high however, you can simply deflate the tyres when the dust cap is off by pressing down on the inside of the valve.

Why is tyre pressure important?

The two main reasons why it's important to maintain the correct tyre pressure are safety and efficiency. Under-inflated tyres increase the chance of a blow-out happening, as there isn't enough pressure to hold the car's weight. Tyres also deteriorate more quickly if they are not at the correct pressure, and if they aren't changed your vehicle may experience a loss of grip.

Having properly inflated tyres could also save you money. They reduce the vehicle's friction with the road, which means less power is needed to drive the car, and therefore less fuel is consumed per mile.

For more guidance on vehicle maintenance and help in checking your car's tyre pressure, please contact the Sturgess aftersales team and book a visit.