What’s The Tire Pressure?

The summer driving season is just around the corner and we’re reminded to check our tire pressure. This is really important before heading out for a summer get away to the lake or to see friends and family. Most drivers know that they should check their tire pressure and by doing so you reduce the chances of premature tire wear. Most  do not know that incorrect tire pressure also reduces fuel economy. It’s estimated that for some drivers who neglect proper tire pressure they are actually buying their tires twice. Yes its money out of your pocket! In addition to costing you more there’s also the damaged caused to our environment from driving on under inflated tires. Transport Canada reports that 500 million litres of fuel are wasted every year due to improperly inflated tires which contributes 1.2 million tones of greenhouse causing carbon dioxide.

 

Accordingto a report by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, almost half of all drivers do not know where to find the correct air pressure for their tires with thirty-one percent mistakenly thinking the correct air pressure for their car was stamped on the tire's sidewall. For the record, the psi rating on the tire indicates the maximum psi pressure that a tire can hold under a maximum load. A vehicle manufacturer will indicate the correct tire pressure for a vehicle on a placard likely on the driver's door post, inside the glove compartment, or inside the fuel door. These figures are based on your vehicle's weight and the forces it will endure. Some placards will be so precise that they will give you recommended pressures based on the number of passengers in the vehicle.

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Once you find the tire pressure placard you’ll want to keep the following in mind: