One easy and very important thing you can do to stay safe on the road is to make sure your tires are properly filled. Still, a lot of drivers forget to do this simple maintenance job. If you drive with the wrong tire pressure, you could waste gas, wear your tires unevenly, or even get a dangerous blowout.
Lucky for us, knowing how to check tire pressure is quick, easy, and doesn't require much gear. If you want to keep your tires in great shape, this guide will tell you everything you need to know, from the right pressure levels to the tools you'll need.
Why It's Important to Know How to Check Tire Pressure?
The only part of your car that touches the road is the tires, so they need to be in great shape. Here's why it's important to have flat tires:
First, safety: tires that aren't filled enough are more likely to get too hot and blow out. When tires are overinflated, they lose their grip and make the car harder to control.
Better Gas Mileage: Having the right tire pressure makes your car ride more easily, which saves you money at the gas pump.
Greater Lifespan: When you properly inflate your tires, the tread wears evenly, which makes them last longer.
Better Performance: Tires that are balanced make the ride smoother and give you more control.
What You’ll Need To Check Tire Pressure
You only need a few simple things to check your tire pressure:
- There are both digital and manual models of the tire pressure gauge.
- An air compressor or pump can be bought at a gas shop or used at home.
- Owner's Guide or Tire Sticker: Usually inside the door frame on the driver's side, it shows the suggested tire pressure (in PSI, or pounds per square inch).
How Often Should You Feel Your Tires?
At least once a month and always before long trips, experts say, check your tire pressure. Temperature changes can also affect tire pressure. When it's cold, it goes down, and when it's hot, it goes up. Check more often if you live in a place where the temperature changes a lot.
How to Check Tire Pressure, Step-by-Step
The first step is to find the recommended tire pressure.
Step 1: Find the PSI that works for your car
This is usually written on a sticker inside the door opening on the driver's side or in the owner's manual. Don't trust the number on the tire; that's the highest pressure that should be used, not the best one.
Step 2: Make sure the tires are cool
If you want to get the most exact reading, check your tire pressure after three hours of not driving the car. This means that the tires are "cold." The number goes up because driving warms up the tires.
Step 3: Take off the valve cap
Leave the small cap off the valve stem of your tire somewhere safe so you don't lose it.
Step 4: Place the tire gauge on top of the valve
Press the gauge down hard on the valve stem until you hear a short hiss of air. Keep it in place until the scale shows a number. Some gauges have a small rod that will pop out to show the PSI.
Step 5: Compare the reading to the PSI that is suggested
Check to see if the number is the same as the tire pressure that comes with your car. You'll need to add air if it's too low. If it's too high, press the opening to let some air out until the pressure goes down.
Step 6: If necessary, add or let out air.
To blow it up, add air in short bursts with an air pump and check the pressure again. To deflate, lightly press on the stem of the valve to let air out until the right PSI is reached.
Step 7: Put the valve cap back on
Once you're happy with the tire pressure, put the valve cap back on tightly to keep dirt and water out.
Do this again and again for all four tires, and don't forget the spare!
How to Keep Tire Pressure at the Right Level
- Every month, give your tires a quick check. This will keep you safe and save you money.
- When it comes to accuracy and ease of reading, digital scales are often the best choice.
- After the weather changes, verify the tire pressure. A 10°F change in temperature can cause a 1 PSI drop in pressure.
- Check for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear while checking the tire pressure.
- Don't forget about the spare tire; it won't help you if you get a flat.
What Not to Do: Common Mistakes
Relying on the tire sidewall number: The number on the sidewall of the tire shows the maximum PSI level, not the amount that is suggested.
Not Checking the Spare Tire: Many people don't check it until they have to.
If you don't check your tires when they are cool, they may not give you an accurate reading.
Overinflating tires to get more miles: This makes it more likely that something will go wrong and makes steering harder.
Signs That Your Tire Pressure Is Off
If you haven't looked at your tires in a while, you can see signs that they are too low or too high:
· No wear on the tread
· Less efficient use of fuel
· Not enough steering or bad handling
· feeling vibrations when driving a car
· A sign on your dashboard that tells you something is wrong (for cars that have a TPMS system)
Last Thoughts
How to check tire pressure? One of the easiest things you can do to keep your car in good shape is to check the tire pressure. It has a big effect on cost, time, and safety. You can make your tires last longer and make driving safer and more comfortable by spending a few minutes each month on them.
Why choose Ardent Accessories for your automobile and tire needs?
Not having the right tools can hurt the condition of your tires. Ardent Accessories can help with this issue. People all around the United States believe in them for the following reasons:
Ardent Accessories is a good place to get high-quality air pumps and digital tire gauges that will last.
Low Costs: You can get high-quality equipment without spending a lot of money.
Known for making long-lasting items that drivers all around the country trust.
Everything you need to keep your car in good shape is in one easy-to-find place.
go Ardent Accessories for your car today to make driving safer, make your tires last longer, and give you peace of mind every time you go behind the wheel.
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