How to Adjust the Pressure in Tires

Maintaining the right pressure in the tires on your car is very important. Improperly inflated tires pose a safety hazard, wear down prematurely and decrease fuel efficiency. It's important to routinely check and adjust the pressure in your tires. Even if you have never done it before, this is a simple task to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Air compressor

1. Learn the recommended pounds per square inch (psi) rating for your tires. This information is usually written on the tires themselves or on a vehicle information sheet affixed to your glove compartment or driver's side door panel. You should drive only on tires that are within 5 psi of the recommended pressure.

2. Find a source of air you can use to inflate your tires. Use a portable air compressor or visit a local gas station to use their coin-operated air compressor.

3. Remove the caps on your tire stems and put them in a safe place, like your pocket. These things can roll away easily if you don't keep track of them.

4. Check your current tire pressure using a handheld tire pressure gauge. To use the conventional pencil-type gauge, press the gauge onto the valve stem of the tire. Once you achieve a good seal on the valve, the tire pressure will blow out the stick core of the gauge so that you can read the psi measurement.

5. Attach the air nozzle to the tire stem and adjust it so that it fits tightly. When no air is leaking out of the tire stem, you know you have a tight seal. Begin to fill.

6. Recheck the tire pressure frequently with your tire pressure gauge as you fill the tire.

7. Continue filling with short bursts of air until you reach the desired tire pressure.

8. Depress the tire stem with the flip side of the pencil-type tire pressure gauge to release air if you accidentally overinflate your tires.

9. Replace the stem caps, securing them snugly, but make sure they're not overly tight.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to check tire pressure when the tire has not been driven on for a significant distance for at least 3 hours. This will ensure that the tire is cold. Driving on a tire warms up the air inside it and can cause an inaccurate tire pressure reading.
• Digital tire pressure gauges are easier to read than the typical pencil-type gauges. If you find the pencil types annoying to work with, consider upgrading to a digital one.
• Gas station air compressors usually take only quarters. The cost for one session of air usually ranges from 25 cents to $1.
• Check for a trigger mechanism on the air compressor you are using. Some compressors will start automatically, but others require the press of a trigger.