Ask A Technician: Checking Your Tires Inflation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under-inflated tires are the leading cause of tire failure, which accounts for 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

Experts agree that keeping the correct air pressure in your tires is as important as giving your engine a tune-up. In fact, the economic benefits may be even greater.

Before any long trip and once a month, properly check the pressure of each tire with a tire gauge. “Under-inflated tires will make your tire wear unevenly and negatively impact performance.” In addition, keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level can boost fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon.

The car maker’s recommended tire pressure can be found in several places, including near the driver’s door jam, on the glove compartment door or in the owner’s manual.

Failure to maintain the correct air pressure can result in poor gas mileage, reduce tire life, affect vehicle handling, and cause vehicle overloading. If you consider these factors, then the need to routinely check your tire pressure is even clearer. With the right amount of air pressure, your tires wear longer, save fuel, enhance handling, and prevent accidents.

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