Monday, June 15, 2020

The Importance of Proper Tire Pressure

Here at Melloy Dodge, we encourage every customer to check their tire pressure monthly. It can be easy to forget the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure. Performing these simple at-home check-ups on your vehicles can help reduce the likelihood of a flat tire or blowout and maintain ideal vehicle handling. It is a good idea to check your tire pressure once a month and to follow your manufacturer’s PSI recommendation.

What is PSI? Tire pressure refers to the pounds per square inch (PSI) that is the recommended amount of air pressure needed for your vehicle to operate safely. Melloy Dodge asks you to check your owner's manual for towing and hauling tire pressure recommendations. Always remember to check your tire pressure when the vehicle is cold for an accurate reading. When your vehicle’s tires are not properly kept inflated, you risk uneven wear, decreased fuel economy and negatively affecting your vehicle’s handling and stopping. According to fueleconomy.gov, under inflated tires can reduce your fuel economy by .2% for every 1psi your tire is low. With properly Inflated tires, you can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 6%. Melloy Dodge’s skilled technicians can detect low tire inflation by the uneven wear of tread on your tires. The best way to check your tire PSI at home is with a pressure gauge.

Pressure gauges are little enough to store in your center console or glove compartment for easy and quick access. They are handheld and give instant results. The most common place to find your manufacture’s recommended tire psi is on the tire label commonly located on the outside edge of your driver door near your vehicle’s identification tag. It’s as easy as 1-2-3: uncap each tire, push your gauge into the valve stem, and read the results.

The importance of tire pressure checks is easily overlooked and understandably easy to forget, until it’s time to replace your expensive tires. Monthly checks will help keep your mobile asset in efficiently working order. For your convenience, we offer tire pressure checks with your multipoint inspection through our express lane. Remember, the little things can make a big impact, and tires make a big impact on the bank account. The experts here at Melloy Dodge Service Department are always available to answer your questions and ready to assist you with all of your vehicle needs.