Higher than recommended pressure can cause rapid tread wear in the center of the tire, harsh ride, poor handling, and possible tire damage (see Figure 2). Uneven pressures from side to side can cause steering pull or lead, uneven braking, quirky handling and torque steer.

Tire and car manufacturers carefully consider many variables when recommending a tire inflation pressure. Safety, tire wear, handling and ride comfort are all affected by inflation pressure. Recommended inflation pressure can usually be found on the driver’s door jam or in the vehicle’s owners manual. Other than a change in tire size, there aren’t many circumstances that would require deviating from the recommended pressure.

An overinflated tire is stiff and unyielding and the size of its footprint in contact with the road is reduced. If a vehicle's tires are overinflated by 6 psi, they could be damaged more easily when encountering potholes or debris in the road, as well as experience irregular tread wear. Higher inflated tires cannot isolate road irregularities as well causing the vehicle to ride harsher and transmit more noise into its interior.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 51 percent of American drivers check their own tire pressure. Unfortunately, 48 percent of those surveyed consult their tire's sidewall to find the proper inflation pressure.

"The inflation pressure on the sidewall of the tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure determined by the tire manufacturer," says BFGoodrich (www.bfgoodrichtires.com). "It is not necessarily the correct tire inflation for your vehicle. You should ALWAYS use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find this information in your vehicle owner's manual, or posted on the inside edge of the driver's door or other door, or on the inside of the glove box door.