How to Fill a Car Tire with Air

Most people have the air checked in their car tires every 3,000 miles when they get their oil changed. In reality you should check the air in your tires weekly to ensure they are inflated correctly. This article will help you understand how to check your air pressure and fill your tires at your local gas station.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One car
• One air pump found at a local gas station

Go to the Gas Station

1. Find a local gas station with an air pump. The air pump may be free or cost up to $1 to operate. Make sure to bring quarters with you just in case.

2. Read the side of your tire. You should find a two to three digit number with the acronym "PSI" next to it. PSI stands for "pressure per square inch." This will be the number you use to gauge how much air you are filling your car tire with.

3. Remove the valve caps from your tire.

4. Start the air pump.

5. Bring the air pump hose to one tire and insert the valve into the metal end of the hose.

6. Read the air pressure measurement stick that will eject out from the air pump nozzle. The last number that is exposed is your current psi.

7. Press the handle on the air pump to fill your car tire with air if the psi reading on the air pump nozzle is lower than the psi number on your car tire.

8. Quickly check the psi reading on the air pump nozzle again as your car tire can fill with the correct amount of air quickly. If not, continue to fill and check the psi until your car tire is filled to the correct amount.

9. Repeat steps 5 through 8 for all of the other tires on your car.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of continuously squeezing the air pump to fill your car tire with air, you should quickly squeeze and release while keeping an eye on the psi reading on the air pump nozzle. This will keep you from over-inflating your tire.
• If you accidentally over-inflate your tire you can leave the air pump in the car tire valve. If you do not squeeze the air pump to enter air the tire should release some air. Again, keep an eye on the psi reading on the air pump nozzle.
• Over-inflated or under-inflated tires are dangerous to drive on since they might pop while driving. If you are not sure how to fill your car tires properly you should take your car to your nearest auto mechanic.

Resources

• How to Fill Air in a Car's Tire
• How to Check Tire Pressure and Inflate Tires