1. Temperature Affects Tire Pressure
Extreme temperature changes from season to season in Southern Ontario causes the air in your tires to expand and contract. This either increases or decreases your tire pressure. Nitrogen filled tires are the best - they do not increase or decrease in pressure.
2. How Much Pressure do Your Tires Take?
Inflate your tires to the pressure indicated in your vehicles Owner’s Manual. Sometimes this is indicated on the driver’s side door jam.
3. The Best Time to Fill Your Tires
As you drive, your tires heat up. Check your tire pressure before you drive. The tire pressure rating applies to cool tires that have not been driven for at least 3 hours. Checking tire pressure when your tires are hot will result in under inflation when the tires cool down.
4. When Should Tires be Replaced?
Tires need to be replaced when there is less than 1/8 of an inch of tread remaining. The “penny test” is the easiest way to check. Simply insert the top of the Queen’s head into the tire tread. If you can see the top of her crown, your tires need to be replaced immediately. If you can see her head they need to be replaced in the near future.
5. Caution About Low Tire Pressure
Under inflated tires weaken the tire walls causing premature tire failure including hazardous blowouts. Under inflation also impairs fuel economy and vehicle handling.