How to check your tire pressure before a long journey

It's always important to check your tire pressure from time to time, especially when the weather's colder. In the icy conditions that we've seen recently, it's best to check your tire pressure at least once a month, especially if you're embarking on a long journey. It only takes a few minutes, but it's an essential routine to get into to ensure that you're safe to drive. Whether you're planning on a long journey for a breakaway, or are just racking up a fair few miles with day-to-day driving, find out how to check your tire pressure and why it's so important.

What is tire pressure?

Tire pressure refers to the amount of pressure inside your tire. It can vary from car to car, but with a quick google search, you should be able to find the optimum tire pressure for your vehicle. Normally, the tire pressure is also stated in the vehicle handbook and can be tested at a garage or with a pressure gauge at home. It's essential to keep your tires in good condition for your safety and the car's overall condition. The tire pressure lets you know how inflated or deflated your tires are and is important to keep on top of.

Why do I need to check my tire pressure?

Often tire pressure can be the last thing we remember to check on our cars, but there are so many reasons to check your tire pressure before setting off. Tire pressure affects everything from control of the vehicle, running costs, and ultimately your safety. Here's why you need to check your tire pressure:

• Damage to the tread: Under or over-inflation can cause damage to the tires, meaning that your costs will increase.
• Tire failures: Blowouts are more common when the car's tires are under-inflated.
• Stopping distance: under-inflated tires will mean that your vehicle takes longer to stop - this can be a nightmare on long journeys where there may be traffic and frequent stopping.

How do I check my tire pressure?

So, checking tire pressure is an essential part of driving safely during winter and beyond, but how do you check tire pressure?

• Firstly, check your car door or fuel flap for the instruction on how to check your tire pressure and what it should be.
• Once you know what the pressure should be, take the air pump and take the air pump nozzle off, ready to fill the tires with air.
• When you do this, you will see a gauge that tells you the air pressure levels of the tire at present. Proceed to fill the tire with air until it reaches the optimum tire pressure suggested on your car.
• This will enable you to continue to monitor and add air to your tires, but if you are in doubt or something doesn't seem to be working, then ask your mechanic when you have your MOT, as the tires will be automatically checked.

Now you know how to check your tire pressure, be sure to do it as regularly as possible - especially before long journeys and in colder weather. For more car care solutions, like cleaning products and miracle screen wash, check out our products page.