How to Check Your Car’s Tire Pressure

HOW TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

1. START WITH COLD TIRES
Vehicle manufacturers specify “PSI” pounds per square inch of the air pressure of cold tires. Tires are considered cold if the car has been driven less than a mile at a moderate speed or when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or more, or. PSI is the unit your pressure gauge uses to provide readings.

2. CHECK THE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED PSI
Look up in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb to find the recommended cold tire PSI for your front and rear tires. If you cannot locate it, you should consult your vehicle qualified tire professional, dealer, or manufacturer.

3. WRITE DOWN THE PSI FOR EACH TIRE
If your rear and front tires require different pressure levels, note the correct PSI for each to refer to as you check each tire’s pressure.

4. CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WITH YOUR GAUGE
First, remove the valve cap from one of your vehicle’s tires. Place the pressure gauge on the tire’s valve stem and pressing down hard enough so your gauge provides a reading and the hissing sound disappears. With a standard tire gauge, the air pressure will slide a small bar out from the bottom of the tire gauge. PSI Measurement units are on the bar. A digital tire gauge will show you the PSI reading on a screen.

Repeat this process for all four tires writing down the reading.

5. FILL THE TIRES TO THE VEHICLES RECOMMENDED PSI
Use an air compressor to fill the tires have low air pressure.

If you use the air compressor at a gas station, be sure to park your vehicle so that the compressors air hose will reach all four tires. Fill each tire by placing the air chuck over the valve stem and pressing down on the value.

If your tires are “hot.” it is necessary to adjust the inflation pressure four psi above the recommended cold PSI inflation pressure. Make sure to recheck the PSI pressure when your vehicle’s tires are cold.

Use the gauge to recheck the tire pressure after refilling your tires. If you overfilled the tires, you could let some air back out. Never drive on overinflated tires. Tire air pressure overinflation can result in premature wear, decreased impact absorption and reduced traction.

6. REPEAT: CHECK TIRE PRESSURE MONTHLY
Checking your PSI is the best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your vehicles tires check your tire pressure on a regular basis. Make checking your vehicle tire pressure a monthly ritual to ensure your tires never dip far below the optimal PSI.

A digital tire pressure gauge will provide more accurate readings than a standard tire gauge, but don’t forget that it to check the battery.

It’s best to use your tire gauge versus those available attached to air hoses at service stations. Of all the pressure gauges out there, they’re the most likely to be weathered, and possibly inaccurate.
Maintaining proper tire inflation is simple and essential to the overall performance of your vehicle’tires. Both underinflation and overinflation can cause tire issues like premature treadwear and possible tire failure.
A properly inflated tire will provide longer tread life, better fuel efficiency, quicker steering response, and a smoother ride.