The air pressure in your tyres supports the entire weight of your car. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is essential for keeping you and other road users safe as well as improving vehicle performance, decreasing fuel costs and ensuring you get the most life out of your tyres. Yet it’s one of the most common aspects of a car that driver neglect. Show
The Effects of Under InflationUnder inflated tyres are among the leading causes of tyre failure. Under inflated tyres cause too much of the tyre to touch the road, increasing friction and wear. A tyre doesn’t need to look a little flat to be under inflated, so always check it using a tyre gauge. In fact, a tyre with 25 per cent of the air let out of it looks like a fully inflated tyre.
Over inflated tyres on the other hand give you a bumpier ride, compromises handling and creates uneven tread wear. There is a myth that the more your tyre is inflated, the better fuel economy is. This isn’t true. Always keep your tyres inflated at the recommended level. The Effect of Tyre Pressure on Fuel ConsumptionUnder inflated tyres increase your vehicle’s drag, which increases fuel consumption. But by how much exactly? A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA found that every 1 per cent decrease in tyre pressure correlated to a 0.3 per cent reduction in fuel economy. Under inflation of the tyre by 10 per cent increases fuel consumption by 2 per cent. Twenty per cent under inflation increases fuel consumption by 4 per cent. With tyre pressure at 40 per cent below the recommended level, the tyre’s fuel consumption increases by 8 per cent. This can have a significant effect over time as tyres can naturally lose one to two PSI per month. Changes in temperatures can also affect tyre pressure. For every 5 °C drop in temperature, there is a 2 per cent loss in tyre pressure. Your tyre also inflates about 2 per cent with a 5 °C rise in temperature. If the temperature fluctuates throughout the year or even from day to night, the effect can be significant. Need Your Tyres Checked or Replaced?With locations all across Australia, Tyrepower can help you prepare for your next road trip by ensuring your car is in great condition. Whether you need new tyres, a wheel alignment or any other preventative maintenance for your vehicle, we can help. We’re proud to offer great tyre deals from brands like Kumho tyres, Goodyear tyres, Continental tyres, Maxxis tyres, Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres and Toyo tyres. Find your closest tyre shop and call 13 21 91 today.
Any tire loses air slowly at the rate of 1-3 psi a month due to osmosis. However, a stronger leak may be the result of the following issues:
If a has tire deflated more than 25% from the recommended pressure, the likelihood of a tire-related crash increases threefold. Therefore, it’s crucial to know about every leak your tires may have and fix them in time. [insert page=’2137′ display=’content’] Possible Reasons Why a Tire Loses Air SlowlyWheel IssuesThe two main wheel problems due to which a tire loses air slowly are:
If you see any of these issues, make sure to visit a technician and get a consultation on changing the valve stem or repairing the wheel. Tire DamageThere are several common tire-related reasons why a tire loses air slowly:
When you notice your tire loses air slowly or it’s time for a routine check at a mechanic, make sure to look for all this damage. Some of them, like a small puncture, may be reparable, and the sooner you do it, the better. Temperature ChangeA tire loses about 2% of the air with every 10°F drop in temperature. Accordingly, it rises 2% with every 10°F rise. So, light passenger cars may lose/gain about 1 psi, while pickups and buses may lose/gain 2 psi. In most part of the US, the difference between day and night temperatures is about 20°F. So, if your vehicle spent a night outside in the cold and you find the tires are underinflated in the morning, don’t rush to add pressure. While you drive, the inflation will return to the norm by the afternoon. Pressure changes according to the temperature because air expands when heated and shrinks when cooled. The amount of air is still the same, so if there is no other damage, keep the pressure as it is. Locating the Air LeakIf your tire loses air slowly, there are several ways to find the leak:
Usually, the soapy water method works perfectly even for small punctures. It’s also the easiest and least time consuming, as you don’t have to demount the tire. Fixing the IssueIf your tire loses air slowly, here are the things you can do:
NOTE: Not all damage to the wheel and tire are reparable. Some repairs are temporary, giving you some time to get to the nearest tire shop. But you should never drive with temporary or poor-quality repairs on a daily basis. [insert page=’1887′ display=’content’] Repairing a TireYou can repair a puncture at a technician workshop or at home. If you want to do it yourself, use tire sealants or a special plug kit. Using a SealantYou will need a sealant, an air pump, and a pressure gauge. Insert the nose of the sealant into the puncture where the tire loses air slowly from, or the valve. Make sure you adjust it so that the sealant is pouring right on the inside surface of the tire. Pour it carefully until you use a whole standard bottle. It will work as a protective layer inside the tire, so when you pump it up, the pressure will push the mixture into the hole. Thus, it will form a rubber-like plug, repairing your tire. How tire sealant works. Image source: www.grahamwalkercars.ieThere are pre- and post-puncture sealants, so buy the latter if your tire loses air slowly. NOTE: Make sure you look for propylene glycol sealants. There are also those based on ethylene, which is toxic for humans and may be dangerous for tires after some time. Using a Plug Kit A standard tire plug kit.A plug kit consists of a set of plugs, rubber cement, reaming tool, and a plug tool. Also have pliers or another tool ready to take the nail out of the tire. You may need a car jack and a lug wrench if it’s more comfortable for you to repair the tire on a removed wheel. However, you can do it with the wheel on the vehicle. Firstly, remove the nail from the tire and use a reaming tool to clean the hole and make it fit the plug. Be careful not to make the hole too large, or you can do more damage so your tire loses air slowly or go flat instantly. Then, insert the plug into the plug tool and cover the tip of the tool with a bit of rubber cement. After that, insert the plug into the hole in the tire and pull the tool out of it. Cut the plug that remains on the surface as close to the tread as possible. After it dries, you can pump the tire up and drive safely for some time. NOTE: Remember that such repairs are suitable only for tread damage. If you fix the sidewall like that, the tire may blow out any moment. Repairing the Valve StemYou will need a valve removal tool and a new valve core. You may also need a car jack and a lug wrench to remove the wheel if you find it easier. Remove the valve core on the wheel where the tire loses air slowly by inserting the removal tool tip into the stem and rotating it counterclockwise. If you see signs of corrosion, make sure to clean the stem before installing a new core. Screw a new core in place and pump the tire up. NOTE: Make sure to wear protective glasses, as the old core or debris from the stem may hit you. Repairing and/or Restoring the RimIf you have a bent wheel, it’s better to go to a mechanic that offers hydraulic assistance. This is one of the newest and most efficient ways to straighten a wheel. NOTE: Never hammer your aluminum alloy wheels, or they may become totally broken. Aluminum is quite brittle, so more gentle means should be used to fix such rims. What you can do yourself is clean the wheels from corrosion, as this is one of the reasons why a tire loses air slowly. You will need to remove the wheel from the vehicle and dismount the tire. Then you will need sanding tools, aluminum metallic polish, and wax (optional). Clean the wheel and degrease it, then remove all the paint and previous finishes. Sand all its parts thoroughly, including the space in between the spokes and inside the lug-nut holes. Use a low-speed sander to clean the center of the rim, and polish it all until it gets shiny again. Let it dry and apply wax if you find it appropriate. NOTE: This is only one of the methods for cleaning a wheel of signs of corrosion. You can alter it according to your wheel type and manufacturer specifications. You should also wear protective glasses and gloves to ensure safety. Maintaining Proper Inflation
Searching for Recommended Air Pressure InformationRead your vehicle owner’s manual or look for the information placard on the door jamb. There you will find both the maximum load/inflation and the recommended amount. Image source: bridgestone.com.sgIt’s crucial that the tire load index is the same or exceeds the index you see on the placard. The information on the load index can be found on the sidewall of the tire as a part of its code. TPMSTire Pressure Monitoring System is present in every vehicle manufactured after 2007. It helps detecting whether any tire loses air slowly and excessively. When pressure goes lower than 25% from the recommended standard, the system warns the driver with a sign. Image source: www.autoserviceprofessional.comUnfortunately, according to a survey, only 58% of drivers can identify the sign. 21% won’t believe their vehicle systems and will continue driving until they can see the damage themselves. Nevertheless, TPMS is a mandatory system approved by NHTSA and a great help for those who use it. Why Tire Pressure Is ImportantTire pressure influences the following things:
Improper pressure will provide less stability for the vehicle and more risk of flats and blowouts. For light passenger cars, the average psi standard is 35, and such tires become dangerous at 28 psi. So, even 5-7 psi makes a difference. Therefore, when one tire loses air slowly but more than the others, it needs attention. |