Tire pressure and ecology – a new campaign by Autostrada Wielkopolska

Two Service Areas and mobile tire experts measuring tire pressure of cars and trucks – Autostrada Wielkopolska is going to conduct a free tire pressure check campaign. The main goal is to promote eco-driving and improve the safety of motorway users. This campaign has been oriented towards drivers traveling on the concession section of the A2.

Tire pressure testing on A2 by Autostrada Wielkopolska

Although it is rarely mentioned, tire pressure has quite a significant impact on the quality of the trip. As a general rule tire pressure should be checked on average once a month and always before a long trip. It is not only a matter of safety and comfort, but also of vehicle operating costs and ecology.

Inadequate tire pressure impairs the vehicle’s handling characteristics. Checking the tire pressure level, which you can do on your own at a gas station at a Service Area or with your own pressure gauge, allows you to control this parameter and easily correct it to the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Taking care of proper tire pressure is important, because it has a real impact on both driving safety and the environment.

It is our intention to make drivers aware of this dependence, hence our campaign, during which, on August 25 and 26, mobile tire experts will be available to drivers traveling on the concession section of the A2 at the two Service Areas: Chociszewo and Rogoziniec. They will check, free of charge, and adjust your tire pressure of vehicles, if necessary. Drivers will also be able to get some advice from tire experts, explains Anna Ciamciak, spokesperson for Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A.
Correct tire pressure level

The average correct tire pressure for cars is between 2.2 and 2.5 bars, however vehicle manufacturers always specify these values individually for each model. This type of information is provided on rating plates, that can be found, for example, on the fuel filler cap, in the glove compartment on the dashboard or on the driver’s door, and, of course, in the vehicle owner’s manual. Such data can also be obtained on the Internet, on sites with available pressure calculators. For trucks, the differences in the value of the correct pressure are greater – the optimal level varies between ca. 5 bar and even 9 bar.
What is important, checking the pressure level should also include the spare wheels – they won’t be fully functional if they are not properly inflated.

Incorrect pressure means what?

Neither too low nor too high tire pressure is good for the vehicle. Although the most common issue is that the pressure is too low, exceeding manufacturers’ recommended values also happens. Excessive tire pressure often occurs as a consequence of long trips with a heavy load, so after each such a trip it is worth checking the level and adjusting it accordingly.

Maintaining optimal tire pressure means more economical, and therefore more eco-friendly driving. Driving is smoother and fuel consumption is optimized. There is also less wear and tear on tires, chassis components and even the vehicle’s electronics. Overall, this translates into a reduction in CO2 emissions and raw material consumption, as well as a reduction in the carbon and water footprints – associated with the production of wearables”, stresses Michal Średziński of M&M’s mobile tire service company.

Excessive tire pressure

When the pressure level is too high, a smaller area of the tire is in contact with the asphalt, thus reducing the grip. This results in longer braking distances, which is of great importance when driving at high speeds, like on the motorway, for example. It is primarily the middle part of the tire that comes into contact with the road surface, so this is exactly the part of the tread that will be prone to excessive abrasion. Reduced grip also means poorer driving comfort (shocks are more noticeable) and faster wear and tear of the chassis components.

Too low tire pressure

Too low pressure, in turn, means that the vehicle has to overcome more resistance, which makes the engine work harder, causes higher fuel consumption, and makes the tires’ tread wear down faster on the outer sides. Again, the braking distance is extended and the vehicle’s handling characteristics are impaired. In addition, with underinflated tires, the risk of losing traction on wet surfaces (aquaplaning) increases.

Where to check your tire pressure

You can check the pressure level with your own pressure gauge or at a gas station at one of the Service Areas on the motorway. It is best to check the pressure level with cold tires (whenever possible), that is, preferably after a long parking period, separately for front and rear tires (the pressure value should be the same in the wheels on the same axle – as indicated on the rating plate). In addition, the pressure should also be adjusted to the vehicle load – a fully loaded car trip requires higher pressure. Most vehicles are now equipped as standard with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) pressure sensors, which, if they detect any abnormality, display a message in good time (abnormal pressure with an option to continue driving or abnormal pressure with an order to stop), giving the driver a chance to reach the Service Area or to pull over into the emergency lane – depending on the indication or situation.

It is worth taking care of your safety and comfort in advance. This includes, among others, correct tire pressure. In addition, we can contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and extend the lifespan of the car parts. We encourage drivers to take part in our campaign this Friday and Saturday. All you have to do is stop at one of the two designated Service Areas during your trip and get expert advice, adds Anna Ciamciak.

Mobile tire experts will check tire pressure free of charge on the motorway of Autostrada Wielkopolska:
Chociszewo Service Area (approx. 85 km A2 direction Świecko) – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
25 August – cars and vans
Rogoziniec Service Area (approx. 85 km A2 direction Warsaw)- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
25 August – trucks
26 August – cars and vans
The check stations for cars, vans and trucks will be located in the parking lots of the Service Areas.