Under-inflation can lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat.
It's important to have the proper air pressure in your tires, as underinflation can lead to tire failure. The "right amount" of air for your tires is specified by the vehicle's manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle's door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual.
1. When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cool - meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. (NOTE: If you have to drive a distance to get air, check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.)
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
3. Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
4. Add air to archive recommended air pressure.
5. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with a fingernail or the tip of a pen. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
6. Replace the valve cap.
7. Repeat with each tire, including the spare. (NOTE: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure.)
8. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air leak.
9. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities. (NOTE: Air Pressure in a tires goes up (in warm weather) or down (in cold weather) 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.
A bad joint from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a Des Moines tire expert check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven or rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a tire expert. Front-wheel-drive vehicles, and those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels. Have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble such as "pulling" or vibration.
Also have your tire balance checked periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular wear.
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You can slow down uneven tread wear by rotating your tires, which simply means moving them around so that they "trade places" on your vehicle in a systematic way. Rotation is important because each tire on a car carries a different amount of weight, making them wear at different rates. By rotating them, you basically even out those differences. Your owner's manual will tell you how often to rotate your tires, but as a rule of thumb, it should be done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. You might want to rotate them sooner if you see signs of uneven wear. Misalignment and other mechanical problems can also cause such wear, so ask one of our knowledgeable mechanics or tire technicians to check to determine the cause.
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Another critical part of your tire is the tread, which gives you the traction to stop and hold the road on curves. Tire tread also funnels water out from under the tire, which helps to reduce "hydroplaning", where a car actually rides up on a layer of water and becomes dangerously difficult to steer or stop.
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