How to Maintain Proper Tire Pressure in a Car

Maintaining proper tire pressure in a car's tires is such an easy thing to do that it's a wonder that so many people fail to do so. Not only is it relatively easy, but it also saves you money by extending the lifespan of your tires and increasing your gas mileage dramatically. Here's how to make sure that you're maintaining proper tire pressure in your car's tires.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Pressure Gauge
• Access to an Air-pump
• A Little Know-how

Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure in Your Car's Tires

1. Measure your tire pressure often. You should measure your car's tires for proper pressure and inflation at least once a month if not more.

2. Measure your tire pressure when your car's tires are cold. In other words, don't measure the pressure after you've just driven 50 or 100 miles. Instead, make sure that the car in question hasn't been driven more than 2-3 miles for at least 3 hours before you take your measurement. This will ensure accuracy.

3. Fill your tires immediately using a powered air pump. To get your car's tires to regulation pressure, use a pump on them.

4. Check the pressure again after every 10-15 seconds of inflation time in order to avoid over-inflation.

5. Make sure that the valve stem caps are placed securely on the tires whenever you aren't actively measuring the tire pressure or filling the tires with air.

6. Avoid potholes when possible. Hitting a lot of potholes can spring a leak in your tires, causing them to lose air pressure and become flat.

7. Avoid road debris while driving your car. Different types of debris can puncture or rupture your tires, causing them to lose their pressure.

Tips & Warnings

• The more miles you drive, the more often you should check your tire pressure.
• Those who live in climates where the temperature goes through extreme variations need to measure their tire pressure more often.
• Consider getting your tires filled with nitrogen instead of air. Many service stations now offer this as a service because nitrogen will not leak out of your tires nearly as easily as plain air does. Hence, you won't lose your tire pressure as easily if they're inflated with nitrogen.
• Over-inflation can cause catastrophic tire failure and even tire explosion. Use all necessary precaution and avoid over-inflating your car's tires.