How to Check and Inflate Car Tires

Learn how to check tire pressure and inflate car tires by using this step by step guide. Check your car's tire pressure early and often, and add air whenever necessary to maintain the correct tire pressure for your vehicle. Under inflation reduces fuel economy and can lead to tire failure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire Gauge
• Compressed Air

1. Determine the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
   
   Different tires require different amounts of air pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Find the correct PSI for your car's tires by looking in the owners manual or on the rim of the car tires.

2. Check tire pressure once a month using a tire gauge.
   
   When checking tire pressure, looks can be deceiving. It is possible for some tires to be half inflated and not look flat. Therefore, you must regularly check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once a month using a tire gauge.

3. Check tire pressure when the tires are relatively cool.
   
   Even a short trip to the gas station to check the tire pressure effects the temperature and pressure of the air inside the tire. Minimize your travel time before checking your tire pressure to get a more accurate tire pressure reading.

4. When checking tire pressure, remove the cap from the air valve on the tires one at a time to prevent loosing caps.
   
   Press the tire gauge firmly onto the air valve and check the tire pressure (PSI) by reading the tire pressure gauge. If necessary, add air to get to the recommended tire pressure. If you overfill, release some air by partially removing the tire gauge. Remember to replace the valve cap and repeat this process on the remaining tires.