Friendly Reminder to go check your tire pressures

[slickgt1]

So just as the title states. Please go out to your respective garages, or parking spots, and check the tire pressures on all your wheels.

My parents were over for the weekend. So my father asks me what this little orange circle with an ! in it? I'm like tire pressure.

Went to check it out, 9 PSI average in all the tires.

Went to their house after, the other cars were about the same. Highest PSI out of 3 cars was 15 PSI. No one checked the pressure since their last oil change.

Let me know what you guys get on your vehicles.

 

[e30bradley]

I check my mom's TP about once a week and make sure its correct, my dad and my brother always check theirs. and I handle the bike tires around here, Right now I have 35psi in the rear and 30 in the front :] (mountain bike)

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

I check my mom's TP about once a week and make sure its correct, my dad and my brother always check theirs. and I handle the bike tires around here, Right now I have 35psi in the rear and 30 in the front :] (mountain bike)

I'm glad you clarified that with "mountain bike" because I was gonna say, those pressures are opposite for a Mk.III. I run 36/33 front/rear (worked best for me during auto-cross racing).

Checked wife's Passat and the right rear was 14psi -- yikes! All the vehicles are 'topped up' now

Also with this check is anti-freeze, windshield reservoir with cleaning/anti-ice solution, and distilled water (NOT FROM THE TAP!) top-up for standard batteries (I run Optima so I don't have to worry about that ).

 

[isaac338]

So just as the title states. Please go out to your respective garages, or parking spots, and check the tire pressures on all your wheels.

My parents were over for the weekend. So my father asks me what this little orange circle with an ! in it? I'm like tire pressure.

Went to check it out, 9 PSI average in all the tires.

Went to their house after, the other cars were about the same. Highest PSI out of 3 cars was 15 PSI. No one checked the pressure since their last oil change.

Let me know what you guys get on your vehicles.

So.. Did you find the leaks?

 

[bazzateer]

Basic maintenance guys! If we're all garage guys surely we shouldn't need reminding about the basics!

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Basic maintenance guys! If we're all garage guys surely we shouldn't need reminding about the basics!

Not true. Some people use their space for metal or woodworking or just to store the bigger toys. As such, they may not be familiar with vehicle maintenance.

 

[Aberdale]

I check mine about every two weeks on the car and truck. They are old enough that they both have slow leaks at the bead because the alloy wheels have corroded some. About half the tires will lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks.

Dale

 

[Lkdelta]

Should we use the pressure on the side wall of the tire?...(what I do)
I know I have different tires than original equipment

Or the pressure listed on the door sticker..
they are about 3 psi different

 

[ForceFed70]

Don't forget the spare tire as well!

 

[Ben Buck]

I'm in agreement with checking TAR'S, I have several vehicles in my "fleet" I have two daughter's, and both of their cars need a PUMP of air every now and then, they both know how to do it, put air in , you perverts!! Ha-Ha! I also have outside air available for neighbors, or whomever.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Should we use the pressure on the side wall of the tire?...(what I do)
I know I have different tires than original equipment

Or the pressure listed on the door sticker..
they are about 3 psi different

The pressure on the side wall is the pressure required for the tire to support the Maximum weight for which it is rated. It is usually more than the weight of the vehicle, and as such, the vehicles recommended tire pressures are usually lower and "more" correct. Since you have changed tire sizes, you need to take that into consideration, based on the weight your off size tires are designed to support vs the factory size tires. If your tires are designed to support more weight than the factory size, then you will need a somewhat lower pressure to compensate.

Charles

 

[BigAl62]

Should we use the pressure on the side wall of the tire?...(what I do)
I know I have different tires than original equipment

Or the pressure listed on the door sticker..
they are about 3 psi different

Use the pressure on the door tag, that's what pressure the manufacturer recommends. Different brand tires won't change the pressure unless you went to extra load or higher load rated tires (on a truck), if you did then start at the manufacturers recommended pressure and adjust by tire wear (more wear on outer edges, increase pressure or more wear in center, decrease pressure). Adjust in 2 PSI increments. Extra load tires are marked as such on the sidewall, higher load rated tires would be marked by the size. Example: P225/60R16 97H - the 97 is the load rating, a higher load rating would be a number larger than 97. Here's a chart of load and speed ratings (do not replace a tire with one of a lower load or speed rating): http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

 

[nehog]

I'm glad you clarified that with "mountain bike" because I was gonna say, those pressures are opposite for a Mk.III. I run 36/33 front/rear (worked best for me during auto-cross racing).

...

Then my bike, at 150 PSI front and rear is higher than your bike?

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Then my bike, at 150 PSI front and rear is higher than your bike?

Hehehe, since my 'bike' is a motorcycle then, yes, yours are over 110psi more than mine!

 

[bazzateer]

Not true. Some people use their space for metal or woodworking or just to store the bigger toys. As such, they may not be familiar with vehicle maintenance.

Point taken but in my book that's a workshop and not a garage.

 

[Jawn]

Checked mine last night, 30psi all around... bumped that up a bit.

 

[matty d]

Just did it....i didnt have time at home 'cause of the babies. The Pressure Monitor light in the car was lit up. So I took the inflator to work and did it at lunch. I have the Craftsman C3 inflator which is rechargeable. So glad I spent the $40 on it. 30 psi all around

 

[slickgt1]

And for those that are interested. No leaks in any of the cars. You have to understand, once the outside temperatures start dropping, your PSI will drop as well.

I'll snap a pic of one of my pumps. Came with my old Benz. It is a little plastic box, about 7" x 7" x 2". Has a cig adapter. Love it. Small and in its own case.

Sort of like this, but not as fancy. this one has the gauge in the case. Mine has the gauge on the hose.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDEZ-BE...ies&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ae2c6f32e#ht_691wt_1163

Love having a little portable pump.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Oh, "cig" adaptor, as in "cigarette". When you wrote "sig" I was thinking that it somehow connected to a gun

I have a similar portable pump that I carry in our Bus. The pump is meant for truck tires so it has a bit more 'umph' to inflate to higher pressures.

 

[Jagmandave]

A lot of folks have completely forgotten about the routine maintenance of their cars, because sevice intervals have become so long and cars in general are so reliable, it's become more of an appliance than ever. You get in, turn it on like an electric light and off you go...............forever!

With TPMS becoming mandatory I think most folks (if they even know what the light is for) just wait for the warning on the dash before they check anything!

My MINI not only tells me when I have a low tire, it tells me which one it is!

But I don't wait for it, especially when colder weather comes, I top them off monthly at the least, as needed....I hate changing a flat tire in cold wintery conditions - it ***** majorly!

 

[slickgt1]

Lol I fixed it. Hard to remember these things. I am ESL.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Because a vast amount of drivers and riders never give their tyre pressures a second thought, they never think about the overall effects and consequences of failing to run their tyres at the correct pressures.

First off, the vehicle will handle, grip and brake better, whilst giving improved gas mileage (compared to running on under/over inflated tyres).

Tyres not inflated to their correct pressure can overheat and/or be subjected to premature damage and wear which may lead to sudden failure and the potential for loss of vehicle control. Extreme stresses on tyre sidewalls and the inability of the tread to grip road surface or to clear surface water/mud/slush occur.

It is standard practice for Police and other investigators (such as those employed by insurance companies and lawyers) to carry out vehicle inspections when accidents occur and claims are filed.

In the event that the tyres are found to be outside of the specified pressures, the driver may face charges for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition and the insurance company can void the policy and decline payment for the same reason!

If incorrect tyre pressures are found to have contributed to, or been the cause of a vehicle crash/personal injury, the driver may face serious criminal charges and civil claims.

Personally checking the tyre pressures on your vehicle also provides the opportunity to visually inspect the tread and sidewalls for wear/damage/bulging etc.

When I ran my own motorcycle workshop, every bike that came in had low tyre pressures, some were run so low that they destroyed the tyres and inner tubes. Had I not seen this on a daily basis, I'd never have believed it!

Unfortunately, everyone I ask (when they last checked their tyre pressures) can't actually recall, some say that they leave it to the garage to do as part of the service schedule, or for the MOT test (an annual inspection on vehicles over 3 years old).

Bearing in mind that your tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road surface, I think they merit greater respect, and given that they carry you and your loved ones around, so should you...

 

[slickgt1]

Wow Aero, epic first post. Welcome to the forum.

I agree with you completely though.

 

[Terry454]

Be sure to check your spare tire. Many people forget this one, only to be surprised when it is needed. Many of the mini spares take up to 80 psi so be sure to have a tire gauge that reads that high. Those kinds of pressures can damage a 0-60 psi gauge.

 

[magilla]

our fleet gets checked and adjusted once a month.

with winter approaching, tire pressures in the northern latitudes will drop quite a bit.

 

[W650Mike]

It's easy to check with today's technology! Just had Onstar run a diagnostic while reading the thread:


Tire Pressure: Normal
• No issues found.
• Recommended tire pressure - Front: 50 psi,
Rear: 79 psi

Left Front:
57 psi

Left Rear:
73 psi

Right Front:
59 psi

Right Rear:
75 psi

View tire pressure information

Looks like the rears could use a litle bump; I run the fronts around 60psi.

 

[DHCrocks]

I gotta admit I used to only check my tires about once every 2-3 months, but they seemed to hold pressure well and I rarely had to top off.

On my new car with TPMS, I check it at least once a day. Sometimes a couple of times a trip...lol. It so fast and easy, just select tire pressure from the menu and there it is on the dash. All four tires with pressures down to 1psi increments. Its really interesting on how soon the pressure raises when you're driving. From a cold start in less then 10 minutes the pressure can raise 1-2psi. On a longer 20 minute highway drive the pressure can go up 4psi.

 

[4Tigers]

Good thoughts here, I have a warning system and still check the pressures after a service The dealers tend to set the pressure lower for a smoother ride (32 PSI) I run mine at (35 PSI).
On the older cars I check it monthly The Wife shredded a tire a few years back
I also do a daily walk around -- visual pre flight

 

[srmofo]

Tis the season....I hate it, almost every car that comes in needs air in the tires.

TPMS is just about worthless to most consumers. Half of them ignore it, just like every other "dummy" light on the dash. You tell them the tire light is on and the typical response is, "yeah, I know, what's that mean?"

 

[Greatbear]

Having two vehicles myself equipped with TPMS, I love the feature. Almost daily I see at least one vehicle with at least one obviously low tire. Sadly, there are ones I see parked that not only have a low tire, but it has obviously been run like that for hundreds of miles, with the outer tread worn away along with the lettering on the sidewalls.

 

[RVDan]

My Jeep was 3.5 PSI on three tires and 4 PSI in the other

But thats what I run them at

My car was 32 PSI all the way around, a bit higher than usual, must've been the oil change boy that topped them up.

Bike tires are flat, they always go flat, I don't know why.

 

[atk406]

As ForceFed reminded us, DO check the spare. Really easy to forget about that.I have one of those lovely space savers, which require quite high psi. The last time I checked it, it was way low. Which reminds me, I should check it again!

 

[Rural53]

I took the 35s off my race truck last night (that has been inoperative for about two years) and put them on my tow wagon/DD. I was wondering why the steering was heavy driving to work, so at lunch time I checked the tyre pressures, they ranged from 12 to 17 PSI.

Oh and thanks to slickgt1 for giving me an excuse to gratuitously post another picture of my truck. Came out of the lunch bar and just had to take a picture.

My Jeep was 3.5 PSI on three tires and 4 PSI in the other. But thats what I run them at

Pictures

 

[nehog]

All you really need is a Hummer H1, which has tire pressure gauges on the dash. No guessing no estimating. And what is so good, you are driving along and decide (on the fly) that you want to change tire pressure, push a button and the tires inflate and deflate as desired.

Come to a rough road (say one in NY) let some air out for a smoother ride. Good road, want best economy? Increase tire pressure.