Tires are critical to your vehicle, and without regular tire service, your car or truck cannot run the way it should. Incorrect tire pressure leads to a host of issues that compromise your safety and the performance of your vehicle. Here is why monitoring is a crucial part of your maintenance plan.

Why Tire Pressure Monitoring Is Important

Safety & Performance

Tires bear the weight of your vehicle and play a key role in steering, traction, and braking. Without proper pressure and regular tire service, you face increased accident risk and undue wear and tear on your car or truck. Proper tire pressure also lets your vehicle respond well to incidents as you drive and boost overall performance.

Overinflation causes rigid tires that have a harder time making contact with the road, which puts excess stress on your engine. It can also cause uneven tread wear, specifically “center wear,” which is when the middle of the tire is smooth and worn while the sides have more tread. Potholes and other hazards lead to damage rather quickly on tires that are too full.

On the other end of the spectrum, an underinflated tire will incur more wear on the edges of the rubber. Underinflated tires also decrease your car’s fuel economy.  

Best Practices

Cold weather can cause a drop in tire pressure, while warm temperatures may cause it to increase. If there has been a significant change in the weather, you should check to make sure your tires have the proper amount of air. In between regularly scheduled tire services, you should also periodically check pressure to ensure it’s within the factory-recommended range. Many drivers do a reading each time they refill the gas tank. Even if your vehicle has a built-in tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), you should still periodically check for consistent readings with a tire pressure gauge. This manual reading will help you ensure your TPMS is functioning.

If you need tire service in the Piedmont Triad, trust High Point Tire & Automotive to help you. As an AAA-approved auto service center, their professional team provides the best care to keep your car in top shape, including oil changes, engine diagnostics, and anything else to get you back on the road. Call (336) 884-4493 or visit them online for more.