How to Check Air Pressure in Tires

Proper tire inflation is crucial to the overall performance of your vehicle. It helps prevent tire failure, keeping you safe from road accidents. Aside from that, it allows better fuel efficiency, smoother steering response, and longer tire lifespan.

With that being said, it is important to maintain proper tire inflation at all times. The good thing is you can do this by yourself. You only need the following items:

Items that you need:

• Tire pressure gauge (get a digital one, if possible)

• Pen and paper (or your mobile phone)

• Air compressor

Here’s how you can check your tire’s air pressure by yourself:

1. As much as possible, start the process with cold tires. To do this, leave the car overnight at your garage or allow the tires to cool down for three hours or more. Adherence to this rule is advised as friction with the road slightly increases pressure.

2. Find the recommended air pressure level for your tires. This can be found on your vehicle’s manual or inside the driver’s side door jamb. Write down those info on a piece of paper or use your phone instead.

3. Remove the cap on the valve stem. Always remember where you place it, so it won’t get lost. If possible, keep a few valve stem cap spares with you at all times

4. Place the tire pressure gauge onto the valve system. Make sure to press down hard up until the hissing sounds stop. If you’re using a digital gauge, the reading will be displayed on the screen.

5. If the reading is below the recommended pressure, inflate the tires using an air compressor. If you don’t have this equipment at home, go to the nearest gas station or service center.

6. Once done inflating the tires with low pressure, repeat steps 2 to 4. If you overinflate, release air from the tires.

7. Make sure to repeat this process regularly (at least once a month).

Maintain Proper Tire Inflation

Both underinflation and overinflation are bad for your tires, which is why you must make maintaining proper tire pressure a habit. If possible, do this once a month. That way, you can ensure smoother rides every time you get behind the wheel.