A question that comes up frequently is “What should my tire pressure be?” The novice Mechanic or guy at the gas station down the street might say, “It’s written on the tire.” But that is incorrect. Almost all tires will have a “MAX TIRE PRESSURE” __(and then a number ) which indicates the MAXIMUM pressure that that tire can hold. And nearly all manufacturers of automobiles place a tire information sticker somewhere on the vehicle. The most popular spot is the driver’s side door jam. This sticker will include the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for that particular model. German cars tend to have the recommended tire pressure sticker on the fuel door. For the average passenger car about 35 psi is the norm. Tire pressures, if inaccurate, can cause odd symptoms. Even a low tire pressure of 10 psi may cause the car to “pull” or “drift” to one side. If that guy at the corner gas station over inflated all your tires the car may ride more “bouncy” or harsher than normal. Tires do tend to normally lose air, but minimally. If you find yourself putting more than 5 psi of air in any tire more frequently than every three weeks, there is an underlying problem that should be addressed. Tire pressure is part of tire maintenance, which is part of preserving tire longevity. If all your tires are over inflated not only will you have an odd feel but your tires will wear out quicker in the center of the tread. Tires can sometimes be repaired if you are unlucky enough to pick up a puncture from a nail or a screw. A rope style or patch plug is feasible if the tire tech or mechanic sees no sidewall damage or bubble in the tire. A bubble is the result of air trapped between the internal plies of the tire usually caused by impact damage. Tires can be pricey but they are very important to the safety of any vehicle, just as brakes are. One final tip: the best time of the year to buy tires is rebate season which is traditionally spring or fall.
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