If you checked your tire pressure and adjusted accordingly during the winter months, it is highly likely that your tire pressure is a bit high right now. As you are doubtless aware, air pressure is affected by temperature. Colder air is more dense, warmer air is not. And if it was 35 degrees when you adjusted your tire pressure, unless you have a slow leak, that pressure has increased.
Given the fact that gas prices are pretty awful right now, it makes sense to check and adjust those tire pressures regularly. Properly inflated tires give better mileage, longer tire wear, and a better ride. It also affects how much traction you have by giving you an optimal contact patch between the tire and the road surface. While many of you may not drive at such speeds or angles that you're using 99% of your traction, having more traction available is not a bad thing.
As you might imagine, I use a very nice dial gauge to check and adjust my tire pressure. It is a Longacre Liquid Filled Tire Gauge. It isn't cheap, but it is very accurate. If I need to add air, I use a pancake tank air compressor. I hate having to go to a gas station to try to use their compressor. Half the time it is either not working or the line to use it is long.
If you don't want high end stuff but you still want to be able to take care of your own tires, here are two less expensive recommendations:
Jaco Elite Pro Tire Pressure Gauge ($22 but cheaper with the 5% coupon)
Astro AI Car Compressor Tire Inflator (does car, bike, balloons, etc.) $32
Things are getting economically sporty right now, so in my opinion it makes sense to be able to handle small adjustments and repairs by yourself. I'm not saying that you have to create your own automotive shop, and even coming close to that goal may be cost prohibitive for most. But the very basics can be taken care of by anybody with no need for a garage or even a driveway.
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
No comments:
Post a Comment