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The Truth About Tire PressureProper tire pressure is one of the easiest items on your vehicle to maintain. Yet it’s often overlooked. By keeping your vehicle tires at the
specified air pressure, you can substantially increase the life of your tires, as well as protect your safety. Make sure your vehicle doesn’t suffer from these common tire problems:
Tire Pressure Too High - If your vehicle’s tires are over inflated, they have less contact with the road, resulting in less grip and traction. This can decrease the braking power and increase the effective stopping distance. Over inflation can also increase tire wear in the center portion of the tread, and expose the tires to damage from potholes and road debris.
Tire Pressure Too Low - Under inflated tires have too much of the tire in contact with the road, making the tire too hot and possibly causing overheating and/or failure. Under inflation also increases tire wear at the edges of the tread and decreases fuel economy.
Uneven Tire Pressure - If all the tires don’t have the same
tire pressure, your vehicle will pull to the left or right. You can feel this pull through your steering wheel.
The proper tire pressure is listed in your Owner’s Manual, and is also printed on a sticker on the door jamb. DO NOT use
the pressure listed on the side of the tire. This is the maximum allowable pressure and may not represent the pressure for optimum performance. You should check the tire pressure once a month.
Reprinted from:
Tip of the Week by Chrysler
Dallas Morning News
December 8, 2003
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 Dr. R. Craig Jerner, Ph.D., PE specializes in accident investigation and metallurgical
failure analysis, with over 30 years experience as a
metallurgical consultant and accident
investigator. He has testified as a metallurgical
expert in over 250 depositions and more than 70 court appearances. If you or someone you know should need the services of Dr. Jerner and J.E.I. Metallurgical, please visit our web site at the buttons below, or e-mail Dr. Jerner --- r.c.jerner@metallurgist.com |
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