How often do you inflate your tyres?

5tephen

5tephen

5tephen

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16 Oct 2003
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How often you guys have to inflate your tyres to keep them at your preferred pressure level? I'm asking because on buying my car around April/May time (E60 530D, 245/45/R17 runflats, Bridgestone RE040's) I inflated the tyres around June-July time to a bit below the recommended pressures on the car.

Rears should be max 3.1 bar, fronts should be 2.6. The rear left was at 2 bar, 0.5 bar below the rear right, and also lower than the fronts which is obviously quite a drop.
I got a puncture warning on the I-drive yesterday but didn't see anything obvious, went to check the tyre pressures and saw that they had all fallen by 0.6 - 0.7 bar and again the rear left was unusually lower. I'd imagine the rear left set off the warning even though it looked visibly fine. I pumped them all up, reset the tyre pressure indicator on the i-drive and all is well again. But is 2 - 3 months not rather quick for tyre pressures to drop so much? If so, what's causing this. I like throwing this car around corners, does this have much effect, or should I not have inflated them as much...

I'm due a tyre change shortly anyhow (rears probably overdue), and was tempted to just pop down when I got the puncture warning yesterday - anything I should get them to check out?
 
I check mine as part of my weekly routine - tyre pressure/depth, oil level, coolant level, washer fluid level, as well as a general visual check of engine's belts, and for any signs of leaks.

I've not had to add any air to the tyres in the last 3 months (since it's been back on the road), but I still check them weekly anyway.

You could have something in the tyre which is causing a slow puncture, or the valve could be letting a little bit of air past.
 
Used to check them all the time when I first got my car, along with washing, waxing, examining fluid levels etc etc

Can't be bothered with the rigmamorale anymore.

Now, I just kick the tyres and wipe the bird droppings off with my sleeve.
 
lordrobs said:
As in 45psi?! You sure?

Anyway I check my tyres once every month or two because I'm lazy. They tend to be no more than 2 psi out at most.
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Well 3.1 bar for 4 people and a boot of stuff. So I tend to stick it up to about 2.8 bar as I'm not usually carrying that weight.
Checking tyres every week like you guys is a bit desperate I would think, although can do no harm. Was wondering how often they would need inflated rather than checked :) My dad checks the pressures on his wee C-class about twice a year and they never need a lot of filling.
And why would my rear left be losing pressure quicker than the other 3?
 
I only just checked mine for the first time a few days ago after having the car for about 4 months and 2 new tyres (:o)

Much to my suprise they were pretty much bang on 32psi fronts instead of 33 and 30psi in one rear tyre and 40psi in the other! Let it back down to 30 and my god is it better handling now. Always felt there was something not quite right and suppose I should've checked but nevermind I will do now :p
 
5tephen said:
Well 3.1 bar for 4 people and a boot of stuff.
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Just seemed rather high, probably not though. Must admit though I never adjust my tyres for various loads :o Then again that would mean adjusting them 5 times a day sometimes :p

As for your one low tyre its probably either a dodgy valve or slow puncture. If it drops rapidly to a certain pressure then levels off I'd be more inclined to say dodgy valve.
 
I have to do mine every week, they're always going down.
I've forgotten about it before and let the rears get down to around 6 PSI before; can't believe I didn't notice before they got that low. :eek:
 
Tyres need air?

Who the hell came up with that idea then, and why did no one tell me, it would be so much easier than trying to get water through that little valve! :D
 
Older cars, especially ones from colder environments, with aluminum wheels tend to lose pressure a lot faster than comparable cars with steel wheels due to corrosion on the bead where the tire is seated.
housemaster said:
Tyres need air?

Who the hell came up with that idea then, and why did no one tell me, it would be so much easier than trying to get water through that little valve! :D
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Many agricultural vehicles use liquid-filled tires for added weight and traction. ;)
 
MarkDavis said:
Can't be bothered with the rigmamorale anymore.

Now, I just kick the tyres and wipe the bird droppings off with my sleeve.
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:D

Once a month. Do the tyres, the spare, check oil, washer fluid, coolant, battery etc. Used to do it weekly but I've never had to do more than top up the tyres etc since I've bought it so I've eased off to once a month.

Out of curiosity- I've got a digital compressor I got from the popular car place for £15. Who else uses their own compressor? And who does it at the garage?
 
Whenever I remember to be honest.

Though that did mean that a few months back I checks my tyres and the fronts were at 12psi OS and 10 psi NS :eek:
 
I expect every time I get in the car. I subconsciously look at the tyres when I walk past/get in. If they look low I do a bit more investigating.
 
check mine twice a week along with oil and fluids, although i do 1500-2000 miles a week :)
 
Car gets checked whenever I wash it, probably about 2 or three times a week.

Bike is a different matter, I check the pressures of the Mich PP 2CT's so they are "spot on" 32F/36R every single time I go out on it. :cool:
 
what sort of pressure should i inflate my tyers too, its a rover 620 SDI,

what 16inch wheels on [ 205 55 16 ]

i carry a lot of weight, ie tools, and few people. its my work bus,

and do a lot of miles.

cheers
 
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