Use the right tyre pressure
There are lots of good reasons to make sure your tyres are always inflated to the correct pressure. It will save you fuel, which is better for the environment and your wallet and it’s also safer.
Be safe - check your tyre pressure
Some Kiwis aren’t good at regularly checking tyre pressure. An AA tyre pressure survey conducted on 150 vehicles getting a warrant of fitness check at an AA site, found that 48% had underinflated tyres.
Air pressure to use
Your tyres should be kept at the pressure recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
Information about the correct pressure for your tyres can be found on a label inside the driver’s door pillar, the passenger side or in your owner’s manual.
There are two measurements used for air pressure – kPa (kilopascal) and psi (pounds per square inch). The label in your car and information in your vehicle manual should have the recommended pressure in both measurements. Air pumps at service stations should also display both measurements.
Did you know?
You can find your recommended tyre pressure on a label inside the drivers’ door pillar or listed in the owner’s manual.
When changing tyres, your mechanic should make sure the new tyres meet the manufacturer’s specifications. If your wheels or tyres are similar to the manufacturer’s specifications, then the manufacturer’s tyre pressure recommendation should be acceptable.
Correctly inflated tyres are safer
Your tyres are the only thing that’s keeping your vehicle gripped to the road.
It’s very important that you have good quality tyres with adequate tread. Your tyres should meet the manufacturer’s specifications and should be pumped up to the recommended pressure. This will help your vehicle perform to the best of its ability, as well as keeping you safe.
Overinflated tyres wear unevenly, have less grip on the road and can affect braking ability.
Underinflated tyres can exhibit excessive wear and affect cornering, braking and water dispersion.
Correctly inflated tyres save fuel
Imagine riding a bicycle with flat tyres. The effort you need to get it moving is far greater than if the tyres are properly pumped up.
The same principle applies to motorised vehicles. Proven tests that were conducted on common fuel consumption theories found that driving a car with tyres that were underinflated by 7 psi increased fuel consumption by nearly 8%.
Check tyre pressure monthly
We recommend that you check your tyre pressure at least monthly, whenever you’re going on a long trip or carrying heavy loads. You can check your pressure at a service station or you can buy a tyre pressure gauge from motor accessory shops.