The Importance of Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is the amount of air inside a tire. Each tire requires a certain amount of air to function properly. When your tires have the correct amount air, your car gets better mileage, your tires will last longer and your car will have better handling. Most importantly, having the right car tire pressure can prevent your tire from popping and prevent you from getting into a serious accident.
If you are wondering how to check your tire pressure, it is probably because you have never checked the amount of air your tires have. It is vital to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Your tires lose pressure each month and weather has an effect on the tires as well. Learn how to check your tire pressure and add air if a tire is low on air.
When to Check Tire Your Pressure
It does not matter if your tires are brand new or a few years old, checking your tire pressure is important. You should check your tire pressure at least once month.
On average, your vehicle loses 1 to 3 lbs per square inch (psi) each month. If you do not check your tire pressure levels in six months, you can lose up to 18 (psi) during that span.
Additionally, it is vital to check your car tire pressure when there is a drastic weather change. Warm and cool temperatures are another cause of why your tires lose air. Also, if you notice that your tires look low, go ahead and check the pressure.
It does not matter if it has only been two weeks since the last time you took your tire pressure measure. Having good tire pressure will allow your car to function properly, and can prevent you from getting into a serious accident.
How to Check Your Tire Pressure
Tire pressure checking is easy to do. You have the ability to do it at home or at a gas station nearby. All you need is a tire pressure gauge, and to know what the recommended PSI for each of your tires.
Find out What the Recommended PSI Is
The first thing you must do is check what PSI manufacturers recommend each of your tires to be. You can do this by looking on the driver’s side doorjamb, your owner’s manual or on the actual tire.
Make sure to remember the tire pressure number that you need for each tire before you beginning to take measurements.
Remove the Air Caps
Each tire on your car has a valve stem that is covered by an air cap. In order to check your tire pressure number, you must remove the caps. It is important not to lose or throw them away.
The valve stem caps are what prevents dirt and water from going inside your tires. Additionally, the caps are what keeps air in your tires while you are driving.
Place Tire Pressure Gauge into the Valve Stem
The next step is to check your tire pressure levels. Grab the pressure gauge and place it into the valve stem, and press down on the valve stem. You want to press down hard enough so the hiss sound disappears and your gauge provides you with an accurate tire pressure reading.
With a standard gauge, the air pressure will push a small bar out from the bottom of the gauge. Measurement units are engraved into the bar. The highest number that appears on the gauge is your tire pressure number. A digital gauge will show you the tire pressure measurements on a screen.
Once you know your tire pressure numbers, you need to compare it to the recommended PSI for your tires. For example, if your vehicle’s pressure is at 33 PSI tire pressure and it is supposed to be at 25 psi, you will know that you need to take some air out.
You can take air out of your tire with the pressure gauge. Simply push down on the valve stem and wait for the hissing sound. After a few seconds, check your tire pressure and see if it is at 25 psi. If the number is still greater than 25, continue to take air out of your tire until it reaches the regular tire pressure.
How to Put Air in Your Tires
If your tire pressure reading provides you with a number that is lower than what manufacturers recommend, then you need to add air into your tire. Just like checking your tire pressure, adding air is simple.
Find an Air Pump
If you do not have an air pump, you can go to a gas station nearby. The majority of gas stations own a coin-operated air pump. You will usually find the air pump located by the gas station’s parking lot or entrance. When you locate the air pump, park your car close enough to the pump where the air pump hose can reach all four of your tires.
Hook the Pump to the Valve Stem
Since you checked your tire pressure earlier and know how much air you need, the next step is to take off the valve stem caps. The valve stem is not only to check your tire pressure, but to also to add air into your tire.
Next, you need to turn on the pump. When the pump is on, you will begin to hear a loud noise. Then, grab the air pump hose and press it to the tip of the air valve. Make sure that you are holding the pump with a firm grip. You cannot let go of the hose because air will stop going into your tire.
Additionally, you should check your tire pressure every 15 seconds while putting air in your tire. Your goal is to get adequate tire pressure, and pumping air for 45 seconds may cause you to add too much air.
When your tire pressure number is the same as what manufacturers recommend, you are done. Just put the air cap inside the valve stem and you are ready to get back on the road.