It's worth remembering this all the time!

Me and Moje Auto

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

Seasonal wheel replacement, as this is obvious when it comes to tires, should be accompanied by an air pressure check. However, doing this twice a year is definitely not enough. After all, we use our cars every day and constantly expose them to accidental damage. For example, a tire puncture after hitting a sharp object - fortunately, the times when we used inner tubes are gone. At least when it comes to cars.

 Bad habits of most drivers

Tire damage does not necessarily result from a drop in tire pressure. More and more often it is our fault, or rather our negligence or carelessness. It is enough not to notice a hole in the road or not to slow down before the so-called sleeping policeman. We also constantly make the same mistakes when parking. Let's take a walk down the street and look at the condition of the hubcaps or the rims themselves - because that's what we're talking about here. When driving up to the curb, do it slowly and with straight wheels. When leaving the car, do not press the gas immediately. Damage to the edge of the rim will result in air loss, and restoring it to a perfectly round shape will be either expensive or impossible. Which will also result in incurring considerable expenses.

Another, but equally common, cause of damage to tires and rims is the wheels running over or even pressing against the curb. And leaving the car in this position. I always try to park backwards. When parallel, I have better control of the maneuvers I perform, and I can also temporarily lower the outside mirror. On the other hand, when the car is perpendicular, when I feel the moment when the wheels reach the curb, I put the car in neutral, gently release the brake and let the car roll a few centimeters forward.

Only systematic pressure control

Theoretically, before each drive, we should perform a cursory inspection of the car's technical condition. Of course, this is not possible in practice, but it is worth checking your tires as often as possible. It is best to check the pressure in each wheel once a week. But it's also a utopia, I try to do it at least once a month. All I need is a handheld one pressure gauge, which I carry in the trunk of my car. An alternative are compressors at gas stations, it takes more time to go to a workshop or tire repair shop. Drivers who have cars with a tire pressure monitoring system are in a better situation.

(photo: My Car)

If another loss of air occurs within a short period of time, this may indicate damage to the rim. In the case of a leaky tire, the effect of the loss will be much greater (colloquially speaking, a slipper), and thus it will be easier to identify the cause.

A station or workshop also has the advantage that we can immediately inflate the wheels. But holidays and family trips are approaching, so a foot pump will appear in my car equipment in case of an emergency. This somewhat forgotten item is also great for an inflatable mattress, a pontoon or a bicycle. These are items that we often take with us on vacation or vacation.

Moje Auto Virage - Blood Pressure Monitor for Passenger Cars Range 0-3 Bar

Where to buy View product

Moje Auto Virage - Blood Pressure Monitor for Passenger Cars Range 0-5,5 Bar

Where to buy View product

The manufacturer of each car determines the optimal tire pressure. It takes into account the weight, engine power and permissible load capacity of the vehicle. This concept primarily covers the number of passengers and trunk capacity. This is another thing we should take into account when controlling blood pressure. We will use different values ​​during everyday use on the way to work, school or shopping, and different ones for longer and larger trips.

Let's look at the recommendations on the plates located on the car (usually on a pillar, door frame or fuel filler cover) or in the tire pressure table on the pages of the service book.

(photo: My Car)

We have no influence on fuel increases, but…

Incorrect tire pressure affects driving comfort. I guess each of us likes to travel comfortably and that's where we'll end this thread. However, more serious consequences involve loss of traction and longer braking distances. So there is no point in risking our and others' safety. Providing maximum protection should always be our priority.

The more tangible issue is economics. We have already mentioned expensive repairs or replacements of damaged rims, but underinflated tires will be another expense. Uneven contact between the tread and the road will shorten its life. The wheels will also provide greater rolling resistance, which the engine will compensate for by increasing fuel consumption.

And these have recently become more expensive, fortunately we can reduce the frequency of visits to gas stations. All you need to do is check your tire pressure regularly and respect your tires and rims. It's better to spend excess cash on holiday pleasures!

(photo: My Car)