Help! What is the best tyre pressure for my car?
Under-inflated tyres negatively affect handling, safety and the overall performance of your car - make sure your tyre pressures are correct.
How do I find out the correct tyre pressure for my car?
Tyre pressures vary dependant on size. To test your tyre pressure, take off the dust cap on the tyre’s valve. Fix on the pressure gauge and make a note of the reading. Your driver’s handbook will provide you with the correct pressure ratings for your tyres. It is always best to check as the tyre pressure for the front and rear may differ. If your tyre needs extra air, you should inflate it using an air pump at home, or use the facilities provided in many petrol stations.
What can affect tyre pressure?
Tyre pressure can be affected by weight/load, speed and even by the way you drive. You can find the optimum tyre pressure for your tyres from your driver's handbook. You will be presented with two sets of readings - a standard reading and a reading for when you are carrying additional weight such as passengers or luggage.
Extra load will reduce tyre pressure dramatically so it is important your tyre pressures are adjusted to compensate for additional weight, especially if you are preparing for a long journey.
Checking tyre pressure - how and when to do it
In order to get the most accurate tyre pressure results you need to check them when they are cold i.e not just after your vehicle has been driven.
At Protyre, we recommend you check your tyre pressure at least once a month.
For more information on how to check your tyre pressure click here
Still not sure. No problem, Protyre are here to help.
At Protyre, we offer a number of handy Free Vehicle Checks to all of our customers including Free Tyre Checks. Click the button below to book your vehicle in and let our experienced technicians offer you the advice you require.
My tyres are a bit flat - is that OK?
Although you will still be able to drive your vehicle without noticing a huge difference to performance, long term, under-inflated tyres are dangerous for a number of reasons:
Tyres can overheat resulting in increased chance of tyre bursting
More likely to be affected by general wear and tear
Steering impacted
More fuel consumption
Over-inflated tyres
Under-inflated tyres carry their own risk as outlined above but over-inflating your tyres is not the solution. Over-inflation reduces the surface area of tyre in contact with the road. Less surface area means less grip which can be extremely dangerous in bad weather.
Too much air will also increase the likelyhood of damage upon impact and quicken tyre wear.
Tyre damage
Checking your tyres regularly will help minimise the risk of damage but if you notice any abnormalities they must be checked thoroughly by a tyre professional. You may notice a reduction in performance as your tyres wear but how do you know when you should actually replace a tyre?Click hereto find out.
Extending the life of your tyres
Tyres are important but they aren’t cheap. There are a few things that you can do to prolong the life of your tyres.:
Check tyre pressure regularly
Look for abnormalities
Rotate tyres
Ensure your tyres are aligned
Read some of our other tyre related stories:
We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre
Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.
Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.
The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.