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Checking your tyre pressures
Checking Your Tyre Pressures
90% of vehicles that visit our centres have the incorrect tyre pressure. Here’s our guide for how to check: https://t.co/A3iPzBrR2B
What if I don’t know my tyre pressure?
This is one of the enquiries I receive from some of my clients at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Apart from the internet, vehicle car manufacturers often place the tyre pressures in three locations of the car.
Tyre pressures – where to find them and why getting them right matters
One of the most common questions we’re asked here at Pellon Tyres and Autocentre is a simple one:
“What pressure should my tyres be?”
It sounds straightforward, but you’d be surprised how many drivers aren’t quite sure where to look or how important correct tyre pressures really are. Around Halifax and Calderdale, with our hills, bends and mixed road conditions, tyre pressures play a bigger role than many people realise.
Where to find your correct tyre pressures
Manufacturers make it fairly easy – once you know where to look. In most cars, you’ll find the recommended tyre pressures in one of three places:
- Driver’s doorframe or door pillar: Checking your tyre pressures
Open the driver’s door and look for a sticker on the body or door edge. This is the most common place and usually shows pressures for:- normal driving
- fully loaded vehicles
- motorway driving
- Inside the fuel filler cap: Checking your tyre pressures
On some cars, the tyre pressure information is printed inside the petrol or diesel cap. It’s easily missed, but it’s always worth checking. - Vehicle handbook
The handbook will always list the correct pressures, often with extra detail for different loads and driving conditions.
If you’re ever unsure, and you’re in the Halifax area, we’re always happy to supply the correct details while checking your tyres.
Keep your own tyre pressure gauge: Checking your tyre pressures
Although we’re happy to check tyre pressures free of charge, it’s still a good idea to carry your own tyre pressure gauge as part of your car’s toolkit. They’re small, inexpensive, and easy to keep in the car – often tucked under the dash or stored with the locking wheel nut key.
You can pick them up from most car accessory shops, and good-quality ones are also available from well-known names such as Michelin, as well as UK road safety organisations like the AA and the RAC.
It’s a small investment that can save you money and trouble in the long run.
Simple but important tyre pressure tips
Over the years, we’ve picked up a few straightforward tips that every driver should remember when checking and inflating tyres.
a. Look after your valve caps
Always put valve caps somewhere safe when checking pressures. They’re easy to drop and forget about. If the caps are cracked, missing or damaged, replace them. They keep dirt and moisture out of the valve, which helps prevent slow leaks.
b. Be gentle with tyre valves
Try not to damage the threads on tyre valves. Many modern cars are fitted with Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), and those valves can be expensive to replace if damaged. Don’t force the pressure gauge or airline onto the valve – if it doesn’t feel right, stop and adjust.
c. Check pressures when tyres are cold
This is one of the most important points. Always check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold – ideally before you start a journey. Driving heats tyres up, increasing the air pressure inside them and giving you a false reading. Checking them hot can lead to under-inflation once they cool down again.
d. Double-check each tyre
It’s good practice to check each tyre more than once. This helps ensure you’ve got a proper seal between the gauge and the valve, giving an accurate reading.
Why correct tyre pressures matter: Checking your tyre pressures
Driving with incorrect tyre pressures can affect far more than just tyre wear. Under-inflated tyres can:
- increase braking distances
- reduce steering control
- cause the car to pull to one side
- increase fuel consumption
- lead to overheating and tyre failure
Over-inflated tyres aren’t good either. They reduce the tyre’s contact with the road, giving less grip and a harsher ride – something you’ll definitely notice on Calderdale’s uneven roads.
Local roads make it even more important
The hills and winding roads around Halifax put extra demands on tyres. Incorrect pressures make cars feel unsettled on descents and less stable in corners. Add wet weather into the mix – something we see plenty of – and tyres really need to be in top condition to keep you safe.
That’s why regular checks are so important, especially before longer journeys or motorway driving.
Free tyre pressure checks at Pellon Tyres
Any good tyre centre should check tyre pressures free of charge, and that includes us here at Pellon Tyres. It’s a simple job, but it makes a big difference to safety, comfort and running costs.
Whether you’re popping in for a quick check, a service, or just want some honest advice, we’re always happy to help.
Final thoughts
Correct tyre pressures aren’t something to guess at. They’re clearly listed, easy to check, and quick to adjust – yet they’re often overlooked. Taking a few minutes now and then to check them can save money, improve handling and help keep you safe on the road.
If you’re unsure, don’t worry – just call in and we’ll sort it for you. Sometimes the simplest checks are the most important.