Believe it or not, tires can actually lose up to 1psi (pounds per square inch) every month. So be on the safe side and check all tires, including your spare, once a month (or before a long trip). It’s no biggie. Here’s how you do it:
- Purchase a trusted pressure gauge.
- Check your tires “cold” – before you’ve driven or at least three hours after you’ve driven.
- Insert pressure gauge into the valve stem on your tire. (The gauge will “pop” out and show a measured number. When you hear a “pssst” sound, that’s air escaping the tire. The escaping air shouldn’t affect pressure substantially, unless you hold down the air pressure gauge too long.)
- Compare the measured psi to the psi found on the sticker inside the driver’s door of your vehicle or in owner’s manual. DO NOT compare to the psi on your tire’s sidewall.
- If your psi is above the number, let air out until it matches. If below, add air (or have a BFGoodrich Tires dealer help you) until it reaches the proper number.
For more information, read below. And to find a dealer near you, use the Dealer Locator at the top of the page.
NITROGEN VERSUS COMPRESSED AIR
It’s pretty common knowledge that most tires are filled with compressed air. But some tire dealers have started putting nitrogen in their customers’ tires. (Nitrogen is simply dry air with the oxygen removed. Air contains nearly 79% nitrogen already. Note: Welcome to science class.) Because nitrogen replaces oxygen, less air can escape your tires, and your air pressure stays higher for longer. Also, know that nitrogen and compressed air CAN be mixed, if needed.
Unfortunately, there are other possible sources of leaks (tire/rim interface, valve, valve/rim interface and the wheel), which prevent the guarantee of pressure maintenance for individuals using air or nitrogen inflation. Tires manufactured by BFGoodrich Tires are designed to deliver their expected performance when inflated with air or nitrogen, as long as, the user respects the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle’s placard or by the tire manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
BFGoodrich answers your most asked questions.
FAQ
The correct psi is on the placard sticker inside your driver's door jamb, or in your owner's manual. It varies by vehicle and can differ front to rear. Most passenger vehicles land between 30 and 35 psi, but do not guess from that range. Use your vehicle's specific number, which the manufacturer determined by testing for your weight, suspension, and load.
The sidewall number is the maximum pressure that tire can structurally contain. The door sticker number is what your specific vehicle needs to balance grip, ride comfort, tread life, and load capacity. Inflating to the sidewall maximum overinflates most vehicles, shrinks the contact patch, reduces grip, and wears the center of the tread early.
Unscrew the valve cap. Press the gauge firmly onto the valve stem until the hissing stops. The gauge pops out and displays a number, which is your psi. A brief hiss when connecting and disconnecting is normal escaping air and will not change your pressure meaningfully unless you hold it on too long. Compare to your door sticker, then add or release air.
Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules and permeate through the tire more slowly, so pressure stays stable longer. But leaks also occur at the valve, the valve-to-rim interface, and the wheel itself, none of which nitrogen addresses. Nitrogen and compressed air can be mixed safely. Either way you still check monthly.
Yes, and most drivers never do. A spare sitting for three years at 15 psi is useless when you actually need it on a dark roadside. Check it monthly with the others. The correct pressure for a compact temporary spare is printed on the spare itself and is usually much higher than your road tires, often around 60 psi.
Yes. Pressure drops as ambient temperature falls and rises as it climbs. A tire set correctly in warm weather reads low on a cold morning. This is why cold months need more frequent checks, and why you should never bleed air from a tire that is hot from driving or from sitting in direct sun.
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