How Often Should Tire Pressure Be Checked?
4 Answers
Check tire pressure once a month. The inspection should be conducted when the tires are at normal temperature, as readings are most accurate in this cold/normal state. Inflate the tires to the vehicle's specified pressure. It's normal for tire pressure to rise above the recommended cold inflation pressure after driving due to heat buildup. Do not reduce pressure in hot tires, as this will result in insufficient pressure after cooling. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tires. In automotive maintenance terms: while the engine is the heart of a car (its failure means the end of vehicle life), tire pressure serves as the car's blood pressure. Proper tire pressure levels play a crucial role in vehicle performance and power.
I've been driving for over a decade and never take tire pressure checks lightly. I measure it every two weeks using a $20 pressure gauge, getting the most accurate readings when the car is cold. Before long trips, I always check - last time there was just a 0.3 bar difference and I could feel the steering wheel vibrating on the highway. Tire pressure has a huge impact on fuel consumption; when I drove for two months with underinflated tires, my mileage dropped by nearly 2 liters per 100km, costing me hundreds in wasted fuel. You need to check more frequently in summer and winter - for every 10°C temperature change, pressure varies by about 0.1 bar. While built-in TPMS is ideal, it's easy enough to check manually for older cars, and gas stations offer free air refills.
In the logistics industry, we all know that tire pressure is the lifeline of safety. I drive 700-800 kilometers every day, and it's mandatory to check the tire pressure every two days. Especially when hauling heavy loads in mountainous areas, even a slight deviation in tire pressure can be dangerous. Last week, Lao Wang from our team had his truck's tire pressure 0.5 lower than required, and it blew out while turning. I always keep a tire pressure gauge in my truck, and it only takes five minutes to check during rest stops. A tire shop mechanic once taught me a trick: measuring tire pressure before setting off in the morning gives the most accurate reading, and you can also roughly judge by looking at the tire tread's contact area. While higher tire pressure saves fuel, it damages the suspension; lower pressure increases fuel consumption and wears out the tires faster. Finding that balance point is something you have to figure out on your own.
I've worked in auto repair shops for seven or eight years and recommend checking tire pressure at least once a month. The simplest method is to kick the tire sidewall to test its firmness before driving in the morning. For a more professional approach, buy a dial-type tire pressure gauge at an auto parts market—thirty yuan can last you ten years. Never rely solely on the tire pressure warning light, as that system only alerts when pressure deviates significantly. In fact, just a 0.2 bar deviation in tire pressure can noticeably affect braking distance. I've seen too many vehicles with chronically underinflated tires where the inner edges wore into jagged patterns, making highway driving especially dangerous. Always remember the tire pressure value listed on your vehicle's placard, and don't let mechanics talk you into unnecessary adjustments.
