It’s always important that we keep an eye on our tyre pressures, making sure that they are always correct, not only to maximise our safety when driving but to also ensure that our tyres last as long as possible. If you’re driving with under-inflated tyres, you’re increasing the risk of a tyre blowout. If you have under-inflated tyres you are also more prone to tyre punctures which can lead to tyre repairs or further expenses such as a new tyre. Everyone should check their tyre pressures on a regular basis, especially before a long drive. A great way to check your tyre pressures is by using a tyre pressure gauge or even a tyre inflator. If you’re looking for an excellent purchase that can be kept in your car at all times, then a tyre inflator is definitely the best purchase.
It’s important to realise why your tyre pressure is dropping and how you can fix this problem to extend the life of your tyres whilst maximising your safety on the roads.
Here are a few reasons why your tyre pressure can drop:
Changes in temperature
No matter what the weather is like, the change in temperature can seriously affect your tyre pressures. When the weather is cooler your tyre pressure can contract and when the weather is warmer the pressure will expand, this means your tyres can become either underinflated or overinflated. This is why it is vitally important to check your tyres, especially before a long drive, as the last thing you need is to be pulled over on the side of the road. Not only should you check your tyre pressures, but you should also check for rips, slashes or bulges within the tyre tread. Taking a simple 10 minutes out of your day before a long journey can save you from any potential consequences you might find yourself in.
Damage to the tyre bead
When a tyre gets older, you may notice that the tyre bead has degraded over that time. A damaged tyre bead can lead to a loss of air pressure, which is another reason why should avoid purchasing part worn tyres. You should also make sure that your wheel alignment is correct because if it isn’t, this can also lead to excessive damage to the tyre.
Issues with the tyre valve
If you’re suffering from a faulty tyre valve, this can result in air escaping. This means that when you pump up your tyre, you may see it reach the correct PSI, however, over time you will notice your tyre deflating due to air escaping.
Osmosis
It’s difficult to identify osmosis, however, it results in the air within the tyre exiting slowly through the rubber walls of the tyre. This isn’t a quick process, but if your tyre pressure isn’t checked for a substantial amount of time, this could also result in a lack of tyre pressure.
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure
- Regular tyre checks using a tyre inflator or tyre pressure gauge
- Make sure you’re always driving safely (as you should be), at the correct speed limit and avoid any potholes
- Check your tyres before any long journey, and inspect further for any rips, slashes, bulges etc.
Find out more about tyres and increase your knowledge to avoid any potential consequences in our help section at ASDA Tyres.