Properly inflating your tire is essential to the health and performance of your vehicle. And knowing when or how to check your tire pressure will help provide a longer life to your tires.
Proper maintenance each month will ensure that you will get the most out of your tires. Correct Tire pressure will offer not only better traction but also excellent fuel economy.
Over-inflation or under-inflation can also cause tire failure and premature tread wear. And depending on the manufacturer of your vehicle, you can determine where to find the recommended PSI.
This article will help you check and maintain pressure to optimize the life expectancy of your tires and vehicles.
How to Check Tire Pressure Step by Step Guide
Things You’ll Need
- Air compressor
- Tire pressure gauge
- Paper and Pen
Step 1: Check the Temperature of the Tires
It’s best to check the tire’s pressure when they are cold. Tires tend to cool down after the vehicle has been parked for three or more hours, or if you just went for a drive less than a mile away.
Step 2: Write down the Recommended PSI
You can check the vehicle’s recommended PSI (pounds per square inch), which the pressure gauge uses to determine readings. For 35-inch tires of larger, it’s also best to unload any excess weight from your vehicle before checking the PSI.
You can find the maximum PSI on the side of the tire, and the recommended PSI can be found on the manufacturer’s deckle on the inside of the driver’s door.
Consult your vehicle dealer or a professional if you can’t find the recommended PSI. Your front and rear tires can sometimes require different pressure levels. If so, write down the correct PSI for each of them.
Step 3: Check Pressure Using Gauge
Remove the cap from the valve on the tire and make sure that your gauge is pushed all the way in. Set the gauge on the valve stem tight enough, so no air escapes while you’re checking the pressure, and it should provide a reading.
The bar that has been pushed out of the gauge should measure the exact pressure. You can also use a digital pressure gauge, which will present the exact number. If your front and rear tires have separate recommended PSI, then you should write down the PSI for each of the four tires.
Step 4: Fill Them to the Recommended PSI
Apply the air compressor to refill the pressure for all of the tires. It’s best to know how to work your specific compressor, as some of them function differently depending on the tire. Apply air pressure a little bit at a time and check it in intervals to get the optimal pressure.
For each low pound, it takes about a second for the air to compress. If you’re using an air compressor at your local gas station, it’s best to ask a professional or read any directions given before applying it.
And for the air compressor at the gas station, your tire is usually “hot”, and it’s best to add an extra 4 PSI to the recommended pressure, as that is usually for tires that are cold.
Remember to follow the right procedure when refilling at a gas station. Insert the coins into the machine slots until it starts to run and press on the lever to fill each tire once you set the hose on the valve stem.
Step 5: Check Pressure Again
Make sure your tires aren’t overinflated, as they can decrease absorption for impact and lower traction as well. Set the nub on the back of the gauge to release the extra air.
Check with your pressure gauge monthly to make sure that the pressure never falters from the optimal PSI.
Also, it’s best to purchase your own pressure gauge for proper maintenance, as others can be inaccurate or weathered down.
Accuracy is crucial when choosing a pressure gauge, it’s best to ask a professional for the best gauge for your vehicle if necessary.
Tips
- Remember to fill the spare tire after you’re done with all the others
- It is completely safe to add air to a nitrogen-filled tire
- Make sure to write down the exact PSI for each of the tires before refilling
- Whether you use a stick or a digital gauge, it’s best to use the same one for every maintenance check
A Little Bit of Air Can Make Your Vehicle Safer and More Fuel-Efficient!
For the best steering response and optimal ride, keep your tires at their peak with the help of this guideline!
A regular maintenance check is not only necessary to extend the life expectancy of your tires, but it also helps avoid any roadside mishaps and accidents.
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