The Right Kind of [Tire] Pressure 

Tire Pressure Monitoring in Roanoke, VA; Salem, VA; Cloverdale, VA 

Pressure or Pressure?  

Are you monitoring your tires’ pressure, or are you putting your tires under pressure? Tire pressure monitoring is more important than you might think. ASE-certified technicians at Blue Ridge Tire and Auto in Roanoke, Salem, and Cloverdale, Virginia, are here to help. We’ve been helping our neighbors with necessary auto maintenance services, such as monitoring tire pressure, since we opened in 1983. This allows you to feel confident about trusting us with any make or model you drive.  

Monitoring Tire Pressure     

Monitoring tire pressure can be accomplished in several ways. The traditional way entails connecting a tire pressure gauge to each tire’s valve stem. The reading on the gauge will reflect the pounds per square inch of air pressure inside the tire. Comparing this number to the recommended PSI will indicate whether any adjustment is needed. In recent decades, most vehicles come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This works using one of two set-ups. A direct TPMS uses pressure monitors in each tire to measure the pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI). In contrast, an indirect TPMS uses the wheel speed sensors of the anti-lock braking system to measure wheel revolutions, comparing them to one another via the car’s computer. Thus, an indirect TPMS estimates PSI through calculations rather than by exact measurement, making it less accurate. It’s a good idea to have us check your tire pressure periodically rather than relying solely on the TPMS. We’re glad to do that, and we can also assist you with a TPMS reset when needed.  

Why It Matters  

Although your tires keep rolling if the air pressure isn’t optimal, driving with improper PSI has consequences. You’re putting your tires under undue pressure when you continue driving with too much or too little air pressure in them. Driving long-term with too little air in your tires causes the sidewall to become slack, allowing for excessive wear where the tread pattern and sidewall meet. In addition to wearing out more quickly, the tire is much more likely to overheat when it’s used in this condition. The extra heat can melt the bead where the tread and sidewall come together, causing a dangerous blowout while driving. Too much air pressure is bad, too. It sets your tires up for excessive tread wear in the center of the tread pattern. You don’t have to guess about the accuracy of your tires’ PSI. Instead, visit Blue Ridge Tire and Auto for tire pressure monitoring.