Get More Range with the Right Tyre Pressure

Why this happens

An under-inflated tyre flexes more as it rolls, and that flexing turns battery energy into heat in the rubber. Tyres lose air slowly through the rubber and valve even without a puncture, so pressure drops week by week. Because an EV's motor is very efficient, rolling resistance is a large share of the energy used at city speeds, so a soft tyre shows up clearly in range.

What you need

Step by step

1. 1

   Find the correct pressure

   Look up the recommended cold pressure in the owner's manual, on the sticker near the swingarm, under the seat or on the door pillar of a car. Front and rear values are often different, and some manuals give a higher rear figure for riding with a pillion or load. Do not use the maximum pressure moulded on the tyre sidewall; that is the tyre's limit, not the vehicle's recommended setting.

2. 2

   Measure only when tyres are cold

   Check pressure before the first ride of the day or after the vehicle has stood for at least two to three hours out of direct sun. Riding warms the air inside and raises the reading, so a warm tyre set to the recommended figure will be under-inflated once it cools. If you must check after riding, note that the reading is warm and recheck later.

3. 3

   Check the gauge against a second one

   Cheap gauges and pump displays can disagree. Once in a while, compare your gauge with another gauge on the same tyre, one reading straight after the other. If they differ noticeably, trust the better-quality gauge and remember the offset of the other one. Using the same gauge every time matters more than absolute accuracy for spotting slow leaks.

4. 4

   Read the current pressure

   Remove the valve cap, press the gauge squarely and firmly onto the valve so no air hisses out, and read the value. Write it down for front and rear. A short hiss while pressing on is normal; a long hiss means the gauge is not seated and the reading will be wrong, so try again.

   Tip: Turn the wheel so the valve sits at the bottom or side, where it is easier to reach on scooters with small wheels.

5. 5

   Inflate or deflate in small steps

   Add air in short bursts and recheck with your gauge after each one, rather than trusting the pump's auto-stop blindly. If the tyre is above the recommended value, press the valve core pin gently with the back of the valve cap or the gauge's release button to let a little air out, then measure again until you reach the correct cold figure.

6. 6

   Check for slow leaks

   If one tyre keeps losing pressure faster than the other, spray soapy water on the valve, around the rim edge and over the tread. Growing bubbles show the leak. A leaking valve core can often be tightened or replaced with a valve core tool; a nail or bead leak needs a puncture repair or a tyre shop.

7. 7

   Refit caps and inspect the tyre

   Screw the valve caps back on to keep out dust and water, which can make valve cores leak. While you are there, look for cuts, bulges, cracks in the sidewall, embedded stones and tread wear indicators. A tyre with a bulge or deep cut should be replaced, whatever its pressure.

8. 8

   Make it a weekly habit

   Repeat the check once a week and before long rides, and log the readings with your trip range. Over a few weeks you will see how quickly your tyres lose air and whether correct pressure changes your range in your own riding. Seasonal temperature changes also shift pressure, so check more often when the weather turns.

How to tell it worked

Both tyres read the recommended cold pressure on your gauge, hold it within a small margin for a week, and the vehicle rolls more freely when pushed with the power off.

Questions