How to Inflate Car Tires

Full-service gas stations are a thing of the past. You can't tell whether your tires need air by looking at them or even by kicking them. It's up to you to check and add air to your tires monthly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gas Station or Garage with Pressurized Air
• Tire-pressure Gauge

1. Go to a gas station or garage that has pressurized air with a gauge.

2. Park your car so you can reach all four tires with the air hose.

3. Find the air-pressure specifications for your car's tires. Look for a sticker located on the driver's side doorjamb or in the glove box or trunk.

4. Unscrew the plastic cap on the air valve. Put it in your pocket so you don't lose it.

5. Check the air pressure using either your own tire-pressure gauge or the one on the gas station air pump. Press the gauge against the valve and hold it down firmly. If you hear a hissing noise, you are letting air out. Press down harder.

6. Add air as necessary. Press the air pump hose on the valve while squeezing the lever on the end of the hose.

7. Check the air pressure with your gauge, or use the one on the air pump hose.

8. Deflate the tires if you accidentally overfill them. Press down on the small needle in the center of the valve to let air out. Most tire-pressure gauges have a small knob for this purpose, but a fingernail or a pen will do the trick.

Tips & Warnings

• If a tire needs air every time you check, ask a tire shop to inspect it for a slow leak.
• Keep a good-quality tire-pressure gauge in your car's glove box (a nice electronic one costs only about $20).
• Don't forget to check your spare tire and add air as necessary.
• Don't look at the tire's sidewall for air-pressure specifications, as it lists the maximum pressure for the tire.
• Always use a tire-pressure gauge to get the right air pressure; you don't want to over- or underinflate your tires.

[NightowlMama]

on 2/11/2009 great article

[valy8851]

on 10/4/2008 Simplify, take a spray, "Air Force Tire Inflator" $ 3.17, lift the tire and fallow product instructions.
!!!! product is highly flammable and please advise the tire man about the tire containing this product !!!
After this all above are operating.
:)

[bitterjake]

on 5/10/2007 Do not rely on the guage attached to the end of gas station air compressors. They are usually stick, leak and otherwise give you inaccurate readings

on 3/29/2006 As you have heard, it is important to check your tire's air pressure when the tire is cold, as driving increases the pressure.
Also, the outside temperature can change the pressure in your tires. When the temperature goes down, like in the fall and winter, your tire pressure will also decrease, and you will have to add a little air to compensate for the change. The colder the temperature is outside, the lower the air pressure is on the inside of the tire.
When the temperature rises in the spring, you will have to let a little air out of your tires, because higher atmospheric temperatures will increase your tire's air pressure. And when the hot weather rolls in for the summer, tire pressure will increase even more.

on 3/8/2006 Air pressure gauges vary in accuracy. I bought a good air pressure gauge at an auto parts supply store and leave it in the car, so I can use the same gauge each time for checking and inflation. Low air pressure is the main reason tires wear out prematurely and low air pressure drastically reduces fuel mileage.