Tyre Pressure and Portable Inflators

AUTOMOTIVE · GLOBAL

Tyre Pressure and Portable Inflators

Why pressure matters, checking it properly, using an inflator and what to carry

Tyre pressure affects braking, handling, fuel consumption and how long tyres last, and a large proportion of cars on the road are running under-inflated.

Why it matters

Under-inflated tyres flex more, build heat and wear at the shoulders. They lengthen braking distances, increase fuel consumption and are a recognised cause of blowouts at speed.

Over-inflation wears the centre of the tread and reduces the contact patch, which reduces grip.

Find the right figure

It is on a sticker inside the driver's door frame, inside the fuel flap or in the handbook — not on the tyre itself, which shows the maximum the tyre can take rather than what your car needs.

Most cars list two figures, one for normal use and a higher one for a full load. Use the loaded figure when carrying passengers and luggage.

Check cold

Pressure rises as tyres warm, so check before driving or after no more than a couple of kilometres. Checking after a motorway run gives a reading several units high.

Check monthly and before any long journey, including the spare.

Using a portable inflator

Set the target pressure, connect firmly so it does not hiss, and let it run. These are duty cycle limited, so let the unit cool between tyres rather than doing four in a row.

A cordless inflator is convenient and limited by its battery; a 12 volt unit from the car socket runs indefinitely.

What else to check

Tread depth against the legal minimum, uneven wear which suggests alignment or pressure problems, and sidewall damage or bulges, which mean the tyre must be replaced.

Seasonal changes

Pressure falls as temperature drops, roughly one unit for every ten degrees, which is why warning lights appear on the first cold morning. Top up rather than assuming a puncture.

Check again when the weather warms, since tyres inflated in deep winter run high in summer.

Warning lights

A tyre pressure monitoring warning should never simply be ignored or reset without checking. Reset the system after adjusting pressures, which most cars require through a dashboard menu.

What to keep in the car

An inflator, a jump starter, a torch, a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest, which are legally required in several countries. Water and a blanket matter more than people expect if you are waiting.

Check that everything still works occasionally, rather than discovering a flat battery at the roadside in the dark.

Sealant and spares

Sealant handles small tread punctures only, not sidewall damage. Know whether your car carries a full spare, a space saver or only a sealant kit.

WHERE TO BUY

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