How to Check Your Car's Tire Pressure

Some people might remember a time when getting gas meant pulling up to a station and having an attendant fill the tank and check the tire pressure. Those days are long gone in most places. Even full-service gas stations usually won't check the pressure. That means motorists need to either learn to do it themselves or have a mechanic do it for them. Below, I'll describe why you need to maintain the right pressure in your tires. Then, I'll explain how to check them.

Importance Of Tire Pressure

When your tires don't have enough pressure in them, it can reduce the safety of your vehicle while driving, limit its performance, and result in higher operating costs. First, low pressure can reduce traction and make the tires less responsive to your steering commands. During bad weather, this can lead to traffic accidents.

Second, if you have ever driven your car when the pressure is low, you may have noticed a sluggish response. This is due to a gripping reaction that the tires are having on the road, often because of worn treads. Third, it's estimated that motorists burn through 5 million extra gallons of gas each day as a result of low pressure. The reduction in fuel efficiency drives up the cost of operating your car.

How To Check Tire Pressure

First, you'll need to buy a gauge. A digital model that offers an accurate reading of the pressure should cost less than $15. If possible, check it before driving your car. When you drive, heat builds in your tires, and it can gradually increase the pressure within.

You'll notice a small cap that covers each of the air valve stems. Remove the caps and place them next to you. They have a tendency to disappear, so you might want to put them in your pocket. Next, place your tire gauge on the valve stem and press in. You'll hear a momentary hissing before it connects snugly. A couple of seconds should be long enough to get an accurate reading of the pressure. Write it down for each of your tires.

Before you fill them with air, take a look at your car manufacturer's handbook. It should list the recommended pressure levels. Sometimes, the recommended levels will be the same for all 4 tires. Other times, the levels for the front will be different than those for the rear. Once you have checked the air pressure and you know the manufacturer's recommended levels, you can visit any gas station to fill them. Most stations will charge a few quarters for the compressed air, so bring some change with you.