Tyre pressure is one of the easiest things to get right and one of the most costly to ignore. The wrong pressure affects your grip, braking, fuel economy and how quickly your tyres wear out. The good news is that a two-minute check every couple of weeks is all it takes to stay on top of it.
How often should you check?
As a rule of thumb, check your tyre pressures at least once a month and always before a long journey. Tyres naturally lose a little air over time, so even a perfectly healthy tyre needs topping up now and again.
- At least once a month for everyday driving
- Before any long motorway trip or holiday drive
- When the temperature changes sharply — pressure drops in cold weather
- Before carrying a heavy load or extra passengers
Where do I find the right pressure?
Your correct tyre pressures are set by the vehicle manufacturer, not the tyre maker. You will usually find them printed on a sticker inside the driver’s door sill, inside the fuel filler flap, or in your owner’s handbook. Many cars list a higher figure for when the car is fully loaded.
Always check them cold
Tyre pressure rises as the tyres warm up with driving, so for an accurate reading check them when they are cold — ideally before you have driven, or after no more than a mile or two. Checking hot tyres will give a falsely high reading.
The risks of getting it wrong
Under-inflated tyres flex more, build up heat and wear rapidly on the edges — in the worst case they can overheat and blow out. Over-inflated tyres have a smaller contact patch, reducing grip and wearing out the centre of the tread. Both hurt your fuel economy and your safety.
Do not forget the spare
If your car still has a spare wheel, check its pressure too. There is nothing worse than reaching for the spare in an emergency only to find it is flat. And remember, a tyre losing pressure repeatedly may have a slow puncture that needs professional attention.
Worried about a slow puncture?
If one tyre keeps dropping pressure, do not just keep topping it up. We can come to you, find the cause and either repair or replace the tyre on the spot — at home, at work or at the roadside, with no call-out charge.
