When should tyre pressure be checked?

Checking your tyre pressure is an essential task to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and to prolong the life of your tyres.

However, it's not always clear when is the best time to do it. Here we'll answer some frequently asked questions about tyre pressure to help you understand when to check it, the best time of day to do it, and whether to check it when your tyres are hot or cold.

It is recommended that tyre pressure should be checked at least once a month.

Regular tyre pressure checks are crucial for maintaining safe driving conditions and prolonging tyre life.

Tyre pressure can decrease gradually over time, especially in colder temperatures. A drop in tyre pressure can lead to:

• poor fuel efficiency
• increased tyre wear
• tyre blowout

Therefore, it's essential to check tyre pressure regularly to avoid these potential hazards.

As well as checking your tyre pressure on a regular basis, make sure you test the air pressure before you set off on any long journeys.

A long drive, where the tyres are in continuous use over an extended period of time, can generate increased levels of heat – this causes the tyres to expand, leading to an increase in pressure.

Tyres which are overinflated can be dangerous due to them causing instability on the road. Another reason why it is important to ensure your tyres are inflated correctly before a long trip.

When is the best time of day to check tyre pressure?

It is best to check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Essentially when they haven't been driven on for at least three hours - or have been driven less than a mile at a moderate speed.

Tyre pressure increases as a tyre rolls, due to the friction of the road. If you then do a test, you will receive a false reading. You will get the most accurate reading when the tyres are cold.

A good tip is to test the air pressure in the morning – when you will find the ambient temperature is generally cooler.

Should you check your tyres when they are hot or cold?

As mentioned earlier, it's best to check your tyres when they are cold - because heat from driving can cause the tyre pressure to increase and give a false reading.

It's worth noting that if you need to check tyre pressure when your tyres are hot, you should only use the recommended tyre pressure as a reference. Do not exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tyre.

Overinflated tyres can be dangerous and lead to poor handling and stability.