How to know if tire pressure is low


Never Ignore these 5 Warning Signs of Low Tire Pressure!

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The overall health of your tires affects your driving, so maintaining proper tire inflation is essential to vehicle handling, overall tire performance, good fuel efficiency, and load carrying capability. A properly inflated tire will reduce tread movement (giving your tire a longer life), reduce rolling resistance (increases fuel efficiency), and increases water dispersion (decreases the possibility of hydroplaning). Both over-inflation and under-inflation can cause premature tread wear and possible tire failure.

In this article, we discuss the five warning signs of low tire pressure:
  • TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) -- The purpose of the TPMS is to alert you when tire pressure is too low, resulting in unsafe driving conditions, undue tire wear, and possible tire failure. Check the pressure of all of the tires with a gauge and determine the cause of pressure loss. You can try adding some air, but if the light stays on, schedule a tire service.
  • Below-Average Fuel Economy – The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for your vehicle was determined with properly inflated tires in mind. Underinflated tires will take more engine power (and more fuel) to get the same mileage. If you notice that you are having to refuel more often than normal or a little sooner than usual, check your tire pressure.  
  • Flapping Noise – If you hear a flapping noise or a “whomp-whomp” noise when you're driving, it could the sound of the underinflated tire slapping the pavement. This is also a common first sign of a flat tire. Pull over immediately and check the tire pressure. 
  • Steering Problems – If you notice your vehicle is swaying into turns, taking too long to turn compared to normal, or just feels odd in terms of steering and maneuverability, it could be low tire pressure. Pull over and check the tire pressure as soon as possible. If that doesn't remedy the problem, take your car to your auto shop to have it checked out. 
  • Stopping Distance – If your vehicle is taking longer than usual to come to a complete stop, it could be due to low tire pressure. The tires can't grip the pavement as well when underinflated.

Tip to Remember: Checking the inflation pressure in your tires is an important part of routine tire service, especially for your safety and that of others. Check tire pressure once a month, and before a long trip or when carrying an extra load.

Looking for quality tire service? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about the warnings signs of low tire pressure and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

Are you noticing any warning signs of low tire pressure? Ask your auto mechanic about the tire service offered at their auto shop and schedule an appointment today.

06

Apr

2018

The overall health of your tires affects your driving, so maintaining proper tire inflation is essential to vehicle handling, overall tire performance, good fuel efficiency, and load carrying capability. A properly inflated tire will reduce tread movement (giving your tire a longer life), reduce rolling resistance (increases fuel efficiency), and increases water dispersion (decreases the possibility of hydroplaning). Both over-inflation and under-inflation can cause premature tread wear and possible tire failure.

In this article, we discuss the five warning signs of low tire pressure:
  • TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) -- The purpose of the TPMS is to alert you when tire pressure is too low, resulting in unsafe driving conditions, undue tire wear, and possible tire failure. Check the pressure of all of the tires with a gauge and determine the cause of pressure loss. You can try adding some air, but if the light stays on, schedule a tire service.
  • Below-Average Fuel Economy – The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for your vehicle was determined with properly inflated tires in mind. Underinflated tires will take more engine power (and more fuel) to get the same mileage. If you notice that you are having to refuel more often than normal or a little sooner than usual, check your tire pressure.  
  • Flapping Noise – If you hear a flapping noise or a “whomp-whomp” noise when you're driving, it could the sound of the underinflated tire slapping the pavement. This is also a common first sign of a flat tire. Pull over immediately and check the tire pressure. 
  • Steering Problems – If you notice your vehicle is swaying into turns, taking too long to turn compared to normal, or just feels odd in terms of steering and maneuverability, it could be low tire pressure. Pull over and check the tire pressure as soon as possible. If that doesn't remedy the problem, take your car to your auto shop to have it checked out. 
  • Stopping Distance – If your vehicle is taking longer than usual to come to a complete stop, it could be due to low tire pressure. The tires can't grip the pavement as well when underinflated.

Tip to Remember: Checking the inflation pressure in your tires is an important part of routine tire service, especially for your safety and that of others. Check tire pressure once a month, and before a long trip or when carrying an extra load.

Looking for quality tire service? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about the warnings signs of low tire pressure and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

Ben Marjamaa

Ben Marjamaa

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Low Tire Pressure Signs

Running a vehicle with low tire pressure causes a number of unwanted and negative effects, especially if you’ve just purchased a new Nissan from your local NJ Nissan dealer. Low tire pressure can cause something as simple as a reduction in gas mileage or it can lead to catastrophic results such as blowouts and car crashes.

To keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently, you should know the signs of low tire pressure so you can address the situation immediately.

Spongy Drive

If you’ve been driving and slowly begin to notice that driving the vehicle seems softer, almost sponge-like, this is a sign of low tire pressure. As the tire pressure decreases, the tire begins to flatten out. This more of tire’s service area is making contact with the road, creating the spongy feel.

When this occurs, take your vehicle to the nearest gas station or service department, such as the service department at Cherry Hill Nissan, and check your tire pressure. Chances are your tires will register below the optimal pressure.

Hard Hits

If tire pressure is too low and the car drives over bumps and ridges, the car will feel like it’s toppling over them without ease. This is a result of less cushion within the tires’ air chambers. As you drive, see if the car feels like the shock absorbers aren’t working. Hard hits and a harsh drive indicate low tire pressure.

Alignment Issues

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As you drive down the road, if your car feels like it’s out of alignment or drifting to one side, it may be suffering from decreased tire pressure. If the tires don’t have equal amounts of pressure, it can push the vehicle out of alignment.

Check all of tires and bring them to the standardized pressure as prescribed by the tire codes found on the lower edge of the rubber or in your owner’s manual.

If you’re still unsure about your vehicle’s optimal tire pressure, check with the experts at your Cherry Hill Nissan dealer and have them look into it for you.

Reduction in Gas Mileage

If your vehicle seems to be using an unusually large amount of gasoline while you’re driving, one cause could be low tire pressure. This is due to the increased surface area of the tire making contact with the road, thus increasing fuel consumption and decreasing mileage.

Try to keep a running tally of the distance you go on a tank of gas under normal driving conditions (which includes the tires being at the proper pressure). If this varies or changes significantly, check the tire pressure. Low tire pressure causes low gas mileage, which in turn causes low cash in all of our pockets. Filling your tires will help you save in cash and in safety in the long run.

If you’re still unsure about how to check your tire pressure and aren’t sure about what to do after you have experienced the warning signs of low pressure, your trust service technicians at Cherry Hill Nissan are here to help. We offer a variety of automotive services to make sure you and your vehicle are safe.

Our service department is open weekly. Stop in today or schedule your next service appointment online.

What tire pressure should be? — magazine Behind the wheel

What should be the pressure in the tires of the car? Does it need to be adjusted and what will happen if the pressure is changed in one direction or another?

Wheel replacement

Two friends conversation:

- Hello, I lowered the wheel!

— Absolutely?

- No, only from below . ..

Humor from the Web

The law is the law

Let's start with platitudes. The pressure must be as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. And since the average modern driver usually does not have such information, especially for him, a "cheat sheet" with the necessary numbers is hung on the middle pillar on the driver's side or on the gas tank hatch cover.

Manual - tire pressure

A relatively rare solution: the "reminder" is located on the gas tank cap.

A relatively rare solution: the "reminder" is located on the gas tank cap.

An important point: pressure should be measured only on cold tires. By the way, especially for pedants: cold tires are those on which the car has been without movement for at least 5 hours.

Manual - tire pressure

This "cheat sheet" nestled on the driver's door. An example of how tire pressure recommendations change depending on tire size.

This "cheat sheet" nestled on the driver's door. An example of how tire pressure recommendations change depending on tire size.

Since car manufacturers allow the use of tires of different sizes, the pressure may also be different. In addition, the pressure in the front and rear tires has the right to both differ and be the same.

Instruction - tire pressure

And here there is no difference in recommendations: what is in front, what is behind is the same.

And here there is no difference in recommendations: what is in front, what is behind is the same.

What is the danger?

Related materials

Seasonal tire change: everything car owners need to know

Reduced pressure leads to an increase in tire deformation, more heating during wheel rolling, accelerated wear of the outer tread tracks. Perhaps even a violation of the integrity of the frame. As a result, fuel consumption increases. If you hit a hole in the road, the likelihood of damage to both the disk and the tire is higher.

Increased pressure is an overstrain of the cords, increased wear of the middle part of the tread. In addition, when driving on a bad road, the shocks that are transmitted to the suspension and body will become more noticeable for riders. When hit in a pit, the likelihood of a tire burst increases.

Uneven pressure on all four wheels is the worst thing! At the same time, the car, while driving, inevitably leads the wheels with lower pressure to the side - in fact, sideways movement begins.

How often to check?

Inflating a wheel

Tube tires of the past required a weekly check, especially before the advent of butyl tubes. Then the pressure began to be checked less often, and nowadays, as a rule, they are limited to visual inspection.

Tube tires of the past required a weekly inspection, especially before the advent of butyl rubber tubes. Then the pressure began to be checked less often, and nowadays, as a rule, they are limited to visual inspection.

In a good way, you need to check the tire pressure at least once a month. And before a long journey - just a must.

Related materials

Budget Tire Compressor Test: Wrong Bees

Seasonal variation

The air pressure in an enclosed space changes by approximately 0.1 bar for every 10 degrees of temperature change. This allows, having installed summer wheels in April, not to worry about the pressure in them until the end of August, when the air temperature begins to drop. Having pumped up the wheels at the end of summer, you can already reach the seasonal shift. But having installed winter tires in October, with the first frosts, you should check the pressure a couple more times: when the temperature drops to minus ten, fifteen, and when it goes over minus twenty. But from the middle of winter until the moment of changing the wheels to summer ones, there is again a period of relaxation.

Electronic brains

Electronics are increasingly thinking for us. Now, a tire pressure monitoring system is being installed on parts of production cars. Moreover, some simply read the wheel speeds through the ABS sensors: after all, a flat tire rotates faster, since its radius is smaller than that of inflated wheels. There are also sensors that evaluate the amount of air pressure and send information via radio to the "brains" of the car. Such devices can also be purchased separately: sensors - in the wheels, and the receiver - in the car.

By the way, a lot depends on the road you are going to take.

Mazda 6

The operating instructions supplied with the vehicles indicate that it is recommended to increase the pressure by 0.2-0.3 bar before driving for a long time on expressways. We advise you to follow these recommendations on all cars: it will not get worse.

The operating instructions supplied with the vehicles state that it is recommended to increase the pressure by 0. 2-0.3 bar before driving for a long time on highways. We advise you to follow these recommendations on all cars: it will not get worse.

Overload

I don’t want to discuss overload: this, you see, is not the case. But, unfortunately, many deliberately overload the car several times a year, not only stuffing the interior and trunk to the eyeballs, but also attaching a trailer, which additionally loads the rear wheels of the tractor. In such cases, we advise you to increase the pressure in the rear tires by at least 0.2–0.3 bar. Tires will only thank you.

Zero control

If you doubt the accuracy of your pressure gauge, then we advise you to check it immediately after leaving the tire shop, where you were set the obviously necessary pressure, to measure it with your own measuring device (separate or as part of the compressor). So you determine whether your pressure gauge is "lying" a lot. For the future, right on the dial, you can put a mark of the correct value.

Pressure gauge

Of course, it is better to have your own, known to be correct pressure gauge, but such a toy is not cheap.

Of course, it is better to have your own, known to be correct pressure gauge, but such a toy is not cheap.

Downplaying

If terrible ice caught you on summer tires, say, in the country, and you need to drive some distance along an absolutely icy road by any means, then you should reduce the tire pressure to approximately 1.6 bar. Is it bad for tires? Yes. But an accident will cost more. In addition, in such a situation, one does not have to wait for high speed, and overheating of tires at near-zero temperatures most likely will not happen.

I want to be a T-34!

Everyone knows what caused the excellent maneuverability of Soviet tanks? That's right: wide tracks, that is, low pressure on the ground. We, having an ordinary, non-all-wheel drive car, are also able to provide it with a similar cross-country ability. If the wheels of the car sink into sand, snow or sticky mud, then it makes sense to lower the tire pressure. And not only driving, but also driven wheels.

Infiniti

We know from experience that you can often get out of the "black spot" by reducing the pressure to 1.2 bar.

We know from experience that it is often possible to get out of the "black hole" by reducing the pressure to 1.2 bar.

In a very critical situation, if you know that you have a fairly narrow disc and a relatively wide tire (such a wheel has a lower chance of self-disassembly), you can reduce the pressure to 1.0 bar.

driving on grass

Stalled on wet grass? Try to relieve pressure.

Stalled on wet grass? Try to relieve pressure.

Pressure reduction is also useful in other cases - for example, to overcome diagonal hanging. If you reduce the pressure in the wheels on which the car rests, their height will decrease and there will be a chance to “hook” on the suspended wheels. Of course, if the car has already laid down on the bottom, then it is too late to reduce the pressure - this will only interfere.

Swamp walker

A concrete example of the effect of pressure on flotation. In this case, the pressure is very low, and the contact patch of the wheel with the coating is much larger than that of a conventional car.

A concrete example of the effect of pressure on patency. In this case, the pressure is very low, and the contact patch of the wheel with the coating is much larger than that of a conventional car.

In general, the pressure in tires, as well as in vessels, is better to keep normal. Any deviation has its negative consequences. Tell us, have you ever had to adjust tire pressure to improve flotation?

Tire pressure: your norm

What should be the pressure in the tires of the car? Does it need to be adjusted and what will happen if the pressure is changed in one direction or another?

Tire pressure: your norm

what should be, table adv.

rbc.ru

See also

Tires are the only vehicle element that is in constant contact with the road. One of the main indicators of their serviceability is pressure. It affects not only fuel efficiency, but also safety.

As a rule, car manufacturers recommend maintaining tire pressures between 2.0 and 2.8 bar. But in practice there are situations when it is necessary to deviate from this norm.

adv.rbc.ru

Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month, there are several ways to do this. We understand why it is so important to observe the optimal pressure indicator and what it affects.

In this story:

  1. The dangers of incorrect tire pressure
  2. Signs of incorrect pressure
  3. What should be
  4. When to correct
  5. How to check
  6. How often to check
  7. Table for popular car brands in Russia

Why incorrect tire pressure is dangerous

Tire pressure is the resistance with which air "presses" on the inner area of ​​the rubber. Properly inflated tires will last longer, give you better ride quality and improve your driving safety. If the pressure in the tires is too low or they are pumped over, then the car owner runs the risk of facing a number of problems: from buying new tires to the threat of an accident.

Properly inflated tires will last longer (Photo: Global Look Press)

Under-inflated tires

Under-inflated tires are tires that are below the recommended pressure. In this case, the contact patch of rubber with the road increases, which leads to increased friction or rolling resistance. A worn out outer edge of the tread can visually give out such a problem.

Increased friction with the road can cause the tire to overheat, slip and even burst. In addition, low tire pressure leads:

  • to their excessive wear;
  • to poor handling and less accurate reactions of the car to the actions of the driver;
  • reduced fuel economy due to increased drag;
  • to an increased risk of aquaplaning.

Tire pressure too high

When tires are over-inflated, that is, above the manufacturer's recommended rate, the contact patch decreases. As a result, the main friction with the road is taken over by the central part of the tire.

Excessive tire pressure leads to excessive sensitivity to road irregularities and the risk of tire damage, even destruction. Inflated tires also cause the following:

  • the car becomes difficult to handle at high speeds and corners;
  • suspension is stronger and harder to work out the load from bumps and bumps;
  • due to less grip, the braking distance increases (this is especially dangerous in rain or ice):
  • increases the chance of puncture or other damage.
  • Signs of incorrect tire pressure0211

  • whistle in tight turns and at low speeds;
  • if one wheel is flat, the car starts to drive (pull in one direction) along the road;
  • in fast corners, a flat tire “breaks down” - there may be a sound or disassembly.

For overinflated tires:

  • the car gets more nervous in a straight line;
  • shakes her on bumps;
  • more felt side edge of the wheel in turns;
  • there is a pleasant feeling (this should alert) that the car suddenly began to roll well.

Excessive tire pressure leads to excessive sensitivity to road irregularities and the risk of tire damage (Photo: Shutterstock)

What should be the tire pressure

For each car model, the manufacturer sets its own optimal tire pressure. This indicator depends on the mass of the car, the speed of operation, the number of passengers (partial or full boarding), as well as the load on the trunk [1].

The recommended tire pressure can be found in the vehicle owner's manual or on one of the plates/stickers in the passenger compartment. They can be:

  • on the driver's door pillar or sill;
  • on the glove box door;
  • on the back of the gas tank flap;
  • on the tailgate.

Tire pressure chart

Tire pressure is measured in several units. In Russia, they usually indicate in kg / cm 2 (or atmospheres) and bars (bar). These two indicators are almost equal, which is why they are often used as synonyms:

  • 1 bar = 0.986923 atm.

Foreign models often use pounds per square inch (pound per square inch), or psi:

  • 1 psi = 0.068948 bar;
  • 1 bar = 14.5 psi.

For convenience, car manufacturers can indicate pressure in two units at once - bar and psi. Thus, the need to independently calculate according to the formulas disappears. Otherwise, you can do this in one of the online calculators or check the table of popular values.

Most common tire pressures in bar and psi

2.0 bar 2.1 bar 2.2 bar 2. 3 bar 2.4 bar 2.5 bar 2.6 bar 2.7 bar 2.8 bar
29psi 30psi 32 psi 33 psi 35 psi 36 psi 38 psi 39 psi 41 psi

Tire pressure in summer and winter

Temperature has a significant effect on tire pressure: when it drops, the pressure in the wheels decreases with it. When the temperature drops by 10 °C, the tire deflates by an average of 0.07–0.14 bar or 1 to 2 psi [2].

Temperature has a significant effect on tire pressure (Photo: Shutterstock)

Summer tires typically use manufacturer's recommended readings. But in winter, it is advised to add about 0.2 bar to these figures [3].

Experts also recommend checking and correcting tire pressure at outside temperature. In the cold season, swapping is best done not in a warm garage, but on the street. In summer, before such a manipulation, you should make sure that some of the wheels of the car were not under the scorching sun, while others were in the shade.

When to adjust the pressure: 5 examples

Sometimes the tire pressure needs to be adjusted according to the situation. For example, when the machine is fully loaded or a trailer is towed. For such cases, automakers, as a rule, separately indicate the optimal pressure.

But there are moments that fall into the category of extreme and non-standard (especially if before that the car most often drove around the city). Automotive expert Tatyana Eliseeva analyzed the most common of them.

Long trips on the highway

Causes tires to heat up, especially in summer, so you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations before such a trip. We do not know what we will meet: patched road repairs or heavy rain. After all, for each of these situations, the recommendations will be opposite. Athletes can play with pressure when track conditions are known and engineers can always change the settings. For a long journey, the layman just needs to choose the average.

Off-road

Tires must be bled off, especially on sand. The question is for how much? You can bleed up to 0.7 atm, but a not very experienced motorist can slip the wheels with an inaccurate movement, and if the driver turns the steering wheel sharply (for example, trying to catch on the edge of the track), then the tire can come off the disk. And such cases occur regularly.

On packed snow and ice

At near-zero temperatures on packed snow, ice or sludge for new wheels (velcro or studded) it is better to pump the wheels a little so that water and sludge are squeezed out of the central zone of the contact patch and the tread is better worked. The wheel must be cleared for the tread to work. When it is clogged with snow, the braking distance and traction deteriorate greatly.

If the car has worn wheels, but with an acceptable tread depth for winter tires (4 mm), then you should not hope for the correct operation of the tread. Such a low checker no longer pushes the snow. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the pressure in the wheel, thereby increasing the same contact patch.

Photo: Global Look Press

With a loaded machine

On a country road, the weight of the machine will be an important factor. In this case, we select the pressure according to the load - specific indicators must be viewed on the central pillar of the body. There you will see something like the following recommendation: the more the car is loaded, the higher the pressure in the rear wheels should be.

But a badly broken road can lead to herniations, ruptures and tire damage. Therefore, if we increase the pressure, then we drive on a bad road as calmly and measuredly as possible. Or we slightly deviate from the manufacturer's recommendations and raise the pressure not as much as the manufacturer recommends.

In mountainous terrain

The main factor in changing the behavior of the wheel is not the pressure difference at altitude, but the presence of a large number of sharp turns and long braking. The tire will heat up not only from the loads, but also from the operation of the brake mechanisms. Therefore, the idea that due to low pressure it is necessary to increase the pressure in the tires is wrong, because the temperature of the wheel has a much greater influence in this case.

How to check tire pressure

The recommended pressure is always given when the tires are cold. This means that the vehicle has not been driven for three hours or has traveled less than 1 mile (or one mile).

There are two ways to check tire pressure: on your own or at a workshop. In the first case, it is enough to use a public pump at a gas station or purchase a pressure gauge. This tire pressure measuring device comes in three types:

  • Pointer . A simple working mechanism, as a rule, issuing a small error.
  • Electronic . Compact, handy digital screen, battery operated.
  • Rack or slide-out . Inexpensive, easy to use, but more fragile than other types.

Another option is to install special pressure control caps on each nipple. Such a gadget works as follows: the upper part of the cap is transparent and, depending on the level of pressure, an indicator of three colors appears in it. Green - the pressure is normal, yellow - the tire is flat, red - the pressure has exceeded the norm.

Photo: Shutterstock

The easiest way to monitor tire pressure is with the automatic TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). Today it is installed on almost all models, and in some countries its presence is a prerequisite for releasing a car from the assembly line.

In these systems, the electronics automatically detect changes in the tire, and if the pressure drops below the recommended value, a warning signal lights up on the on-board computer screen.

There are two types of TPMS:

  • Direct. It uses pressure sensors in each wheel, and the on-board computer displays the actual air pressure.
  • Indirect. Calculates the size of the wheel and the distance it travels in one revolution. If this indicator changes, the system notifies the driver about the presence of a problem, but without accurate readings of air pressure.

How often to check tire pressure

Car manufacturers recommend checking tire pressure every two weeks, but at least once a month. Indeed, even under ideal conditions (for example, the car is idle for a long time), the wheels lose approximately 0.069bar, or 1 psi, per month [4].

The pressure should be monitored before and after a long trip, during a sudden change in temperature (for example, during the first frost or warming), and also after changing tires or driving with a load.


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