The Importance of Tire Pressure
Your car’s tires are the one thing separating your vehicle from the road. As such, they can take a lot of punishment on the streets of Panama City, Springfield, and Callaway. To keep your tires—and your vehicle—in top shape, maintenance is a must.
One of the easiest ways to keep your tires in shape is to monitor tire pressure. But when and how should you change it? Honda of Bay City has all the answers for you.
Why Is Good Tire Pressure Important?
Between work commutes and weekend fun, stopping to fill your tires with air is probably one of the last things on your mind. It’s a simple bit of maintenance and a pretty quick one too. Nevertheless, it can be crucial to ensuring a long life for your car’s tires.
When the air pressure in your tires is low, it can…
- Shorten braking distances: If you must come to a sudden or emergency stop, this could cause a collision.
- Generate dangerous friction in the tires: This happens when the sidewalls flex too much. It can quickly wear down tread and even cause a blowout.
- Reduce fuel economy: Higher rolling distances make an impact on your gas consumption.
When the air pressure in your tires is high, it can…
- Cause a blowout (in extreme circumstances): Too much air puts strain on the rubber.
- Wear down the center tread: As we know, this can greatly shorten the life of your tires.
How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure?
Frequently! We would say once a month, but if you’re liable to forget (aren’t we all?), checking once a month should suffice. We wouldn’t recommend going much longer than that, however.
To check your tire pressure, you can buy an inexpensive at-home gauge. However, most gas stations will also have air filling stations that you can use (typically for free). Just be sure to check your car’s owner’s manual beforehand so you know exactly how much air should be in the tires!
FYI: The Weather Can Affect Tire Pressure
There are many factors that can impact tire pressure, with perhaps the most important being your own driving habits (hard driving isn’t good for any part of the car). However, the weather itself can have an impact too!
It is known that cold temperatures can cause tires to lose air pressure fast. But that shouldn’t be a problem for you here in sunny Florida!
That being said, one thing Florida is known for is the heat. And as the mercury climbs the thermometer, your tires’ PSI (pounds per square inch) will climb too—about one PSI for every 10 degrees. With that kind of pressure, tires are definitely under a lot of stress in a heat wave. Be sure to check them often.
Schedule Tire Maintenance at Our Service Center
Refilling the air pressure isn’t the only bit of maintenance your tires need. In fact, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! To keep them running smoothly, efficiently, and for the long-term, you should also regularly rotate them and have them balanced.
Are your tires due for routine maintenance around Panama City, Springfield, and Callaway, Florida? Contact Honda of Bay City to schedule a service appointment today!
