IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TIRE PRESSURE
November 07 2022, Wolfe Mazda
A Mazda's tires might not be its most glamorous or exciting components you look at when browsing a dealership, but they're vital for safety and performance. A car's tires ensure that the vehicle's power is applied to the pavement evenly for good handling, and also enhance safety by making steering and braking more reliable and effective.
Having a safe tread depth is vital to keep the tires in good condition, but as the age of the tires and wear the tread depth will naturally grow more and more shallow, eventually needing a new set. But this wearing process isn't completely out of your control. The pressure you inflate the tires to has a major impact on how quickly they wear, so checking and correcting their pressure is an excellent habit to get into, making them last longer before giving poor performance and needing an expensive replacement.
Tire pressure can be incorrect in two ways, either overinflated or underinflated. Each has its own impacts and drawbacks, and here's what you need to know to avoid problems ahead.
When Tire Pressure is Too High
If your tires are inflated at too high a pressure, the centre tread wears out more quickly, reducing their working life span. But high pressure also degrades tires' performance even while the tread is at a safe depth. High pressure means that the tires are stiffer, making for a bumpy ride and a greater chance of damage if you hit an obstacle or bump in the road. What's more, high-pressure tires can increase stopping distances and make steering less accurate, both of which have serious safety effects.
When Tire Pressure is Too Low
On the other hand, too little pressure can be just as bad for the tires, wearing out the tread edges more quickly. This makes the tires run hotter, degrading the compound more quickly, and also reduces fuel economy to cost you more at the pump.
Why Checking Tires is Important
All tires lose pressure as time goes on, at an average rate of around 1 PSI per month. It doesn't take long for a perfectly inflated tire to become soft, sluggish, and inefficient, so checking the pressure monthly is a good way of protecting them. You'll likely only need to make minor adjustments to keep the pressure at the right level, and you'll also notice if pressure is being lost too quickly, possibly indicating a problem with the tire.
Check Your Tires at Your Local Mazda Service Centre
Make sure your tires are in peak operating condition by scheduling an inspection at our Mazda service centre. We'll check your tires for tread wear and any other problems, and if necessary can carry out a tire rotation to keep them wearing evenly. And if your tires are nearing the end of their useful life, we can offer a low-cost replacement with a new set of high-quality tires that are a perfect match for your Mazda.
