How to Check Air Pressure in a Tire in a Pontiac Grand Prix

The Grand Prix was first produced by Pontiac in 1962. Its longevity is in no small part thanks to the care its owners put into it. While checking oil and getting tune-ups may be second nature, Grand Prix owners may sometimes put safety and performance at risk by not checking the tire pressure. This simple task can save your car gas miles and prevent blown out tires.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire gauge

1. Park and turn off your Grand Prix to rest for up to an hour after driving before checking tire pressure. Your tires gain air pressure while they heat up during driving. This means air pressure checks immediately after driving are inaccurate.

2. Remove the valve stem cover from your tire. This is the small plastic cap that unscrews. These caps keep moisture and dirt from the valve stems. If your Grand Prix does not have caps, it is a smart idea to purchase a new set.

3. Place the open end of your gauge snugly over the valve stem until you no longer hear air escaping. You now have a tight seal and are getting an accurate read. The gauge pin will pop out or the dial will turn to the amount of pressure you have in the tire.

4. Inspect your tire's pressure and then compare it to your manufacturer's recommended pressure. Pontiac recommends you have at least 26 psi and not more than 36 psi in your Grand Prix tires.

5. Increase or decrease air based on whether your tire falls above or below the recommended range.

6. Put the caps back on your tires.

Tips & Warnings

• The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix comes manufactured with P225/60R16 97S tires. The 97 in this number is the load index. This corresponds to 1,609 lbs. that each tire on your car can bear.