Just because summer is winding down, it doesn’t mean that road travel is. For many drivers, the end of summer temperatures are a reminder of change to come. Some drivers are soaking up the last few weeks to hit the trails and the sand, or take a local day trip. Others are packing up and taking those college kids to campus. Any way you slice it, change is coming and change of season, means change for your vehicle’s tire pressure.
Every year we’re all reminded to check the batteries in our fire alarms when we change the clocks. So why not use the change of season as a reminder to check your tire pressure? You can always bring your vehicle to a qualified mechanic to check your tire pressure. But, with a simple air pressure gauge and a Masterflow 12-volt portable air compressor you can check your tire pressure and adjust your tire pressure at your convenience.
Tire pressure is affected by temperature so it’s very important that you do check the pressure when the seasons change and the temperature fluctuates. Don’t forget air is a gas that expands when heated and contracts when cooled. In most parts of our country, this makes fall and early winter months the most important times to check your tire pressure. As summer comes to a close, there are a few things we can count on. The seasons will change, the air will get crisper and your tire’s air pressure is going to go down.
To check your tire pressure you first need a tire air pressure gauge. There are different types of air pressure gauges. There are digital, stick or dial gauges. Grab yourself a gauge and check your pressure. Now, if you have the original tires that your car came with, you can easily look inside the driver’s side door to see what the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) is for your Car Tire Pump. It’s most likely in your owner’s manual as well. Remember that that number is the maximum amount of air your tire can hold, not the recommended pressure. If you have aftermarket tires then you are going to want to go to the tire manufacturer’s website or contact customer service to confirm this information with them before you go any further.
Once you have your recommended tire pressure, you’ll need a Masterflow 12-volt portable tire inflator that suits your needs. There are different air compressors that are meant for different sized tires. For instance, the Masterflow MF1035 is a good fit for a passenger car size tire while the Masterflow MF1050 would be better for a small light duty pickup truck or SUV. If you’re lucky enough to be driving around with cool, larger tires you might want to check out the Masterflow MF1089 because that packs quite a punch and it’ll top off bigger tires fast.
You may say, “Humph, who cares… As long as I don’t have a flat, does the air pressure in my tire REALLY matter?” Yes, yes it does. It’s a no brainer. Keeping your tires properly inflated is safer, helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your tires so they last longer, and even helps save you money on gas. So, when the seasons change use it as a reminder to check your tire pressure, or you can count on writing a check for some new tires quicker than you think.
Disclaimer: Q Industries does not endorse any particular type of tire pressure gauge. Always wear eye protection when working with machinery.
John Moser
Author