Tire pressure is one of the vital aspects that baffle motorists. Whether it is a large commercial truck or passenger vehicle, tire pressure is very important. Pounds per square inch (PSI) is a unit used to measure tire pressure. Considering different tires are used for different purposes, you may wonder whether they require different PSI readings.
So, do different tires require different PSI? Each type of tire has its unique PSI requirement, meaning different tires will need different PSI readings. Generally, tires should reach a certain PSI, but the value differs from one vehicle to another. In most cases, you will be given two different values for tire PSI.
Tire pressure is key in ensuring a smooth ride. While you might know a thing or two about tire PSI, you might not be fully aware of how it works. Driving on flat tires can be very uncomfortable and dangerous. Tire pressure is needed to keep the tires steady, and PSI is a unit that measures it. Some motorists wonder if different tires require different PSI.
Different tires require different PSI because each tire has a specific PSI limit. Remember that the PSI limit also differs from one vehicle to another. Mostly, drivers are given two different values for their tire PSI. While it is possible to use the same PSI limit on different tires, doing so increases the chances of underinflation or overinflation. This could result in driving problems.
No matter the type of vehicle you drive, you might experience a problem when filling your tires for the first time. Drivers must have tires that reach a certain PSI, but the value differs according to the type of vehicle.
The two different PSI values drivers have different meanings — one value is located on the tire while the other is on a sticker inside the door vehicle or owner’s manual. If the two PSI values don’t match, it can confuse and result in Mecham problems for owners.
Therefore, what should you do in such cases, and what is the difference between the two PSI values? Even though most drivers don’t find it alarming to inflate tires to the wrong PSI level, it is highly dangerous and could result in control problems. Such cases increase your need for mobile semi truck servicing or roadside assistance.
Telling the difference between the two PSI values is very important. While some motorists have no idea how to differentiate them. Distinguishing the two is simple; the PSI value found on the tire wall shows the maximum pressure the tire can safely support. Therefore, the PSI value on the tire wall shows the tire’s maximum inflation limit —you shouldn’t inflate your tire beyond this limit.
On the other hand, the PSI value indicated on the owner’s manual or inside the door jamb is the value the manufacturer recommends if you want to achieve the best fuel mileage. This value applies to a specific vehicle and varies depending on the size and make of a vehicle.
Usually, the PSI value recommended in the owner’s manual is lower than the PSI value on the tire wall. Given that all vehicles have a different design, carry their weight loads differently, and weigh different amounts, vehicle manufacturers specify the tire PSI that operates best for a given truck or car.
Both the indicated values are safe to operate with your car. However, it is crucial not to use the tires’ maximum inflation pressure because they will wear faster. Besides, your gas mileage might not be ideal, and the vehicle might have problems handling different terrains.
It is recommended that you work with the PSI value recommended on the manufacturer’s manual when inflating your tires. This ensures durability and prevents unnecessary tire problems.
It is essential to inflate your tires to the recommended levels for optimal safety and driving. Underinflating or overinflating your tires can lead to extra blowouts or friction. This can be inconvenient, especially when driving at fast speeds. Therefore, you should always stick to the right PSI value for the best results. You should also ensure that the value isn’t too high or too low.
Why Can’t I Put Air in My Tires?
Tires have a very simple operating principle: providing air cushion between the wheel and the road surface. When a tire runs out of air, you need to inflate it to ensure proper running. However, some drivers experience challenges putting air in tires, with many questions being asked on why that is the case.
The most common instance you can’t put air in your tires is when they are punctured or torn. While punctures are the most common cause of air loss in tires, they are hard to diagnose. In most cases, punctures are caused by external objects such as roofing nails or screws that perforate the tire. They create small holes in the rubber through which air escapes.
These conditions make it hard to put air in your tire because it keeps escaping. Thankfully, you can fix punctures by applying a solid patch to the inner surface of the tire. Remember that the correct positioning of a tire patch is vital for its effectiveness. Placing a tire patch on the wrong side of the tire could see it lose air again after some time.
Another reason you can’t put air in your tire is a leaking valve. There are two ways leaking tire valves can cause deflation. One, the rubberized valve housing could have leaks where it sticks through the wheel room.
Secondly, the actual valve could be having sealing problems. These issues could affect the tire’s air retaining capacity, making it impossible to inflate. If the rubberized valve is causing the problem, a tire fitment workshop can only be fixed because it needs specialized equipment to remove the tire.
The process also involves replacing or cleaning the valve housing for a better seal. This helps ensure proper air retention. While it is easier to fix a leaking valve, you will still need an air compressor and a valve removal tool to get the job done. The air compressor is needed to inflate the tire after cleaning or replacing the sticking valve.
Remember that tire valves can leak when there is an accumulation of dirt, which results in small gaps that cause air to escape. Thus, you should replace tire valves if you notice that they are physically damaged.
Dirt is the most common cause of a leaking valve, meaning you will probably need to get a new valve. This also depends on the tire workshop you work with — some workshops generally replace the valve as part of the process.
Physical damage to the rim or wheel could also be the reason why you can’t put air in your tire. While damaged tires are common reasons for lack of inflation, damaged wheels or rims also pose the same risk.
You are likely to experience this problem with alloy wheels because they are sensitive and can be easily damaged by potholes. This could result in cracks developing at the interface between the tire and wheel.
Such actions are risky because they increase the chances of safety problems. When driving at high speed, there are chances of wheel disintegration, which leads to complete loss of control. Therefore, you must inspect the wheel carefully when faced with suspicious inflation failure or pressure loss. If it is not the valve leaking or the tire itself, the chances are, the wheel is damaged. In that case, you will have to replace the wheel lest it causes driving problems.
You could also experience inflation problems when the tire doesn’t seal against the wheel. The most common cause of such leakages is dry grass or gravel stones getting stuck between the wheel and the tire.
This is most likely to happen when driving on rough terrain or driving through a field with dry grass. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this problem unless you have the equipment needed to remove the rim from the tire.
The rim has to be removed in order to get rid of debris stuck between the wheel and tire. However, there is another possible solution to this problem — it involves repainted or reconditioned wheels. If you don’t correctly perform wheel surface preparation before applying paint, the coating might flake and break loose around the area where the tire meets the wheel metal surface.
While the flakes might be helpful, they won’t be enough to completely remove the tire. Besides, they will introduce a route through which the pressurized air inside the tire can escape. Therefore, you need to be cautious when repairing tire flakes, especially if you have multiple holes in the tire. If you are not sure how to handle them, get the help of professional tire installers. Doing so will go a long way in helping you put air in your tire.
Can You Use a Bike Pump on Car Tires?
Air compressors are the most common way drivers fill up car tires. While this is the ideal way, you might find yourself in a situation when that is not possible. In that case, drivers wonder if you can use a bike pump instead.
You can use a bike pump to inflate a car tire, though it will take a long time. It can take more than 20 minutes to manually pump a tire. The length of time mostly depends on how flat the tire is. If you have other options, it is ideal to use a compressor to pump up the car tire instead. This will take a short time and will fill the tire to optimum levels.
Within the car tire, there is the air that typically inflates the rubber. Most brands of tires contain this air within the inner liner, tire beads, and bead filler. This creates a passageway for air to reach the other side of the tire, commonly referred to as the valve stem.
The valve stem is designed in a unique way that only allows air to enter but doesn’t allow it to exit. As a result, the tire remains pressured. This is possible because the air remains within the passageway and has no space to escape when you pump. If you are using a bike pump, attach a gauge to measure the pressure readings.
The gauge tells you the approximate PSI value of the air inside the tire. You can use this value to compare to the required tire pressure. You should use a special tube attachment and air compressor to inflate your tire. Remember that most of these tools have a built-in pressure gauge that constantly tells you the PSI value of the air inside the tire. This is vital because it lets you know when to stop pumping.
Some drivers have these compressors in their tool shed, garage, or basement. If you don’t have it, you can take your car to a gas station equipped with a modern air compressor. Garages will ask you to pay a few quarters for a few minutes of air. In case the pump doesn’t have an in-built gauge, you will have to remove the pump and manually check the tire pressure.
Overinflating your tires is just as dangerous as underinflating them. Therefore, you have to ensure it has the right tire pressure. It can be very frustrating to have low tire pressure when you just pump it up. If that is the case, you might have a flat tire you are not aware of.
A quick way to fix such a problem is patching up the hole in your tire. Depending on the holes in your tire, placement, and width, you might have to replace it. It is vital to know that tire pressure fluctuates as seasons change. For example, the tire pressure needed in winter might not be the same as the one required in summer.
Wrap Up
Tire pressure is a crucial factor when it comes to driving. PSI is a unit that measures tire pressure, and the PSI value varies from one type of tire to another. This means that different tires require different PSI values. The main reason you cannot put air in your tire is that it is punctured. When a tire is punctured, it cannot retain air.
A leaking valve could also make it difficult to put air in a tire. Thankfully, you can fix this problem by getting rid of the dirt inside the passageway. You can use a bike pump to fill up a car tire. While this is possible, it will take longer than usual. Mostly, it could take over 20 minutes to get the job done.
