How to Properly Check Your Tire Pressure
Maintaining the proper PSI is easy and important to the overall tire performance of your vehicle. A properly inflated tire will help provide a longer life, better fuel efficiency, and a smoother ride. Over inflation and underinflation can cause premature treadwear and possible tire failure. The best way to make sure you're getting the most out of your tires is to check your tire pressure on a regular basis.
The tire pressure you use for checking your tire pressure can be standard or digital. Any auto parts stores typically carry both tire pressure gauges. They also sell portable air compressors that run from your car battery or the 12 volt power port. There are even a few gas stations left out there that have air available for a small charge.
Always start with your vehicle's tires being cold if possible. The manufacturer of the vehicle usually bases the specific PSI assuming the tires are cold. Tires are considered cold when the vehicle has been parked for three or more hours.
To find the manufactures recommended PSI for your tires which is the next step can be found on the driver's side door jam. Your front tires may require a different psi than the rear tires. Please write down the psi if you need to, to avoid confusion.
Start by removing the valve cap from one of your tires. Then place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press hard enough to not be able to hear a hissing sound. Once you apply enough pressure to not hear the hissing sound, your gauge will provide a reading. If you are using a standard gauge, the air pressure will push a small bar out from the bottom of the gauge which will allow you to read the tire pressure of your tire. If you are using a digital gauge, it will show the reading on the screen.
Once you have read all the tire pressures, use a compressor to refill any tires with low air pressure. After you have filled the tires to the correct pressure, check them again with the tire gauge to be sure they are filled to the correct PSI.
If you are unsure of how to check your tire pressure stop by Bob's Main Street Auto & Towing and will be happy to help you. We can check your tire pressure and fill any tires that would need to be filled.