Why Standard Tire Pressure is Important

When was the last time you checked the tire pressure on your car? Maybe before last summer vacation? That is by far not enough! Drivers should ideally check every two weeks whether their tires are keeping standard tire pressure.

Insufficient tire pressure can be dangerous and it can also damage the tires. If the air pressure is correct, you are not only safer on the move, but you also save fuel.

So when you next stop for fuel, take a few minutes to check the tire pressure. Measuring devices and compressors are available free of charge at many petrol stations. Tire pressure gauges, which you can get for little money in any hardware store, are practical on the go when you need to ensure that you have standard tire pressure.

Why maintain standard tire pressure?

Even with an air pressure of half a bar too little, the driving characteristics of the car change: the braking distance can become longer, the cornering worse, and at particularly high speeds there is even the risk of the tire bursting. Even an inflation pressure of around 0.4 bar below the target value increases wear and tear, and the higher rolling resistance of the tire results in additional fuel consumption of up to 0.3 l per 100 km.

Where to find information on the standard tire pressure

How much tire pressure your car's summer or winter tires require is specified by the car manufacturer. The values ​​vary slightly for the front and rear tires. You will find information on the correct tire pressure in different places depending on the vehicle. For example here:

• Description in the instruction manual
• On the B-pillar with the driver's door open
• On a sticker in the glove compartment
• in the inside of the tank cap
• in the manufacturer's tire pressure tables on the Internet

For reasons of comfort, the manufacturers usually only specify the minimum standard pressure. An increase of 0.2 bar is hardly noticeable in terms of comfort, but it reduces fuel consumption without sacrificing safety.

It is best to check the standard tire pressure before driving or after you have already driven a few kilometers. Under no circumstances should the tire be too warm.

Unscrew the valve cap on the tire and place the plug of the measuring device on it. If the hissing noise does not stop immediately, the position of the plug must be corrected. If the connection is tight, you can read the pressure on the display of the device. The desired amount of air is then added or discharged using the "Plus" and "Minus" controls.

Don't forget: All four wheels, including the spare wheel if possible, must be checked.

The correct tire pressure depends on the vehicle load and can vary by up to 1 bar, which can be different from standard tire pressure. If you go on holiday fully laden, you have to increase the tire pressure accordingly. In individual cases, vehicle manufacturers also prescribe a higher tire pressure when driving at high speeds.