Tire Pressure Facts

Did you know?

• Tires naturally lose air pressure over time--as much as 2 pounds of pressure a month.
• Canadian drivers waste enough fuel each year to fill 257 Olympic size swimming pools simply because their tires are under-inflated.
• Every litre of fuel consumed by a vehicle results in 2.3 kg of carbon dioxide being released into the environment, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Proper tire inflation helps increase fuel efficiency thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Over-inflating your tires will give you a bouncy ride and an ill-handling car, while under-inflated tires can develop premature wear from increased friction. Either way, not having your tires at their recommended pressure will have a negative effect.
• Your tires need special attention during winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Measure tire pressure regularly, especially after a sharp drop in temperature.
• 95% of your vehicle’s weight is supported by your tire’s air pressure, with the tire supporting just 5%, making inflation a critical part of a tire’s ability to perform.
• 49% of vehicles have at least one tire with an inflation problem.
• 23% of vehicles have at least one tire under-inflated by more than 20%. Driving with one tire under-inflated by 20% results in consuming approximately two weeks more fuel per year, reduces your tire’s life by six to nine months, and increases your vehicle's annual greenhouse gas emissions.
• 17% of vehicles have at least one tire over-inflated by more than 20%; this will result in excessive tire wear and reduced vehicle handling.
• Disposing of old tires also has an impact on the environment. Canadians discard 28 million used tires every year, many of which end up in landfills or recycling centres. Every effort made to reduce the number of used tires would mean a reduction in the amount of fuel and other types of energy required to transport, dispose of, or recycle them.