Do people really not know re: tyre pressures?
Discussion
On my way home from the shops, I thought I'd just check the tyre pressures at the garage. Pulled in behind a 68 plate yaris and the guy (probably mid 40s) is kneeling down shaking his head holding the pump to his tyre.
A few minutes goes by and he's still shaking his head. I open the door to ask if the machine is broken or if he needs a hand and he says "No, it's just really slow". As I sit back in the car, I see he has it set to 51 psi.
I point this out to him and he says "it's fine, that's what it says on the tyre and it makes them last longer".
I get back in my car and roll backwards a bit from him, thinking what a total.....
Surely this can't be common practice and people aren't normally this stupid?
A few minutes goes by and he's still shaking his head. I open the door to ask if the machine is broken or if he needs a hand and he says "No, it's just really slow". As I sit back in the car, I see he has it set to 51 psi.
I point this out to him and he says "it's fine, that's what it says on the tyre and it makes them last longer".
I get back in my car and roll backwards a bit from him, thinking what a total.....
Surely this can't be common practice and people aren't normally this stupid?
It always surprises me how I have to adjust(lower) the tyre pressures after I've had new tyres fitted as well. That has happened to me everytime I've had new tyres fitted. They always seem to put miles too much pressure in them versus what the car says is the correct pressure for some reason.
That's over 46 psi by the way!Whilst I'm aware that 28 is about right for almost everything I've owned, I've no idea what the actual "limit" is or how high you'd have to pressurise the tyres to make a blowout likely.
I expect that if the chap's tyres genuinely say 51 psi on the side (which wouldn't shock me), they can probably take it, and you can see why people without much interest in cars would assume that the correct pressure is the one written on the side of the tyre.
I expect that if the chap's tyres genuinely say 51 psi on the side (which wouldn't shock me), they can probably take it, and you can see why people without much interest in cars would assume that the correct pressure is the one written on the side of the tyre.
Edited by Bennet on Saturday 5th November 16:58
cerb4.5lee said:
It always surprises me how I have to adjust(lower) the tyre pressures after I've had new tyres fitted as well. That has happened to me everytime I've had new tyres fitted. They always seem to put miles too much pressure in them versus what the car says is the correct pressure for some reason.
I think they can't be bothered to check individual manufacturer recommendations, and err on the side of a little bit too much pressure is better than too little.Can't say I blame them to be honest.
Wonder what they think when they get the MOT advisory about unusual tyre wear?
Have to say I've never witnessed people overinflating tyres, is this a cost of living "tip" (along with gems like "running your heating all the time is cheaper because the laws of thermodynamics don't apply to houses"). Are people saving a bit in petrol costs that will be offset by them crowning their tyres and needing early replacements/ skidding into a ditch?
Have to say I've never witnessed people overinflating tyres, is this a cost of living "tip" (along with gems like "running your heating all the time is cheaper because the laws of thermodynamics don't apply to houses"). Are people saving a bit in petrol costs that will be offset by them crowning their tyres and needing early replacements/ skidding into a ditch?
V8covin said:
Plus people don't seem to know pressures change with temperature and so should be checked when the seasons change,like now for example
Why would the layperson even consider that? I guess getting the layperson to regularly check their pressures, and then actually setting the pressures to the handbook/tyre label is an accomplishment in itselfMy neigbour's son had the oil warning light come on so his Dad told him to put some oil in.
He came in the house after having done the job the following day with an empyty 5L tub of oil in his hand.
He'd gone to Tesco, bought a brand new tub of oil, and then poured the whole lot into the engine.
They spent 2 hours the next morning draining about 4L back out of the sump plug. When I saw what they were doing just as they tidied up I asked if it might have been easier to borrow my oil sucker, the Dad knew I had one but had forgotten! :laugh;
ETA: Oh, and about 6 months later his other son did the exact same, but with only a 2L bottle this time!
He came in the house after having done the job the following day with an empyty 5L tub of oil in his hand.
He'd gone to Tesco, bought a brand new tub of oil, and then poured the whole lot into the engine.
They spent 2 hours the next morning draining about 4L back out of the sump plug. When I saw what they were doing just as they tidied up I asked if it might have been easier to borrow my oil sucker, the Dad knew I had one but had forgotten! :laugh;
ETA: Oh, and about 6 months later his other son did the exact same, but with only a 2L bottle this time!
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