You need to maintain tire performance by regulating the tire pressure whenever required. Moreover, this activity makes it simple to maintain your tire inflation. But, how to check tire pressure?
There are two ways in which you can do it – you either use a tire pressure gauge. Or, you can use your hands to check the pressure. Further, whichever way you use, you will properly inflate your tire for better performance.
If you want to know how to check tire pressure, make sure to read this article till the end.
How to Check Tire Pressure Using a Gauge?
Do you want your tires to have a longer life? Do you want to be able to have a quick steering response? You can achieve this by checking your tire pressure! Further, allowing you to inflate it to perfection.
Additionally, helping you prevent treadwear and tire failure. So, are you ready to know the steps involved in checking tire pressure using a gauge? Moreover, you will find this to be simple!
Get the Tools
Before you start checking the pressure, you will need to have access to a few things. However, if you do not, make sure to buy them! Even the best off-road tires will require these tools.
Irrespective of the tires you are using, you will require the following tools:
- Tire pressure gauge
- Air compressor
In addition, it is a good idea to keep a handy piece of paper and a pen. Moreover, getting either a standard or a digital gauge can get the job done. But, where to buy it?
Any auto shop will carry tire pressure gauges that can either run on your car’s battery or a power port. Moreover, you can find an air compressor in any gas station if you are on the road. You can use them to check your tire pressure.
Start with a Cool Tire
Your tire will heat when you are driving it. Moreover, the friction caused by driving on the road surface will increase tire pressure. Therefore, before checking it, you need to cool it own.
You can let it sit overnight. However, if you cannot, you can park it away from sunlight for four hours. It will help let the tire become neutral, thus, allowing you to check the right pressure.
Check Your PSI
PSI is the pounds per square inch of tire pressure. Moreover, every vehicle has a different PSI. Therefore, you can check the driver’s door jamb to find the recommended PSI.
Your owner’s manual will give you an idea about the cold tire PSI for your tires. However, if you fail to find both the rear and front tire PSI, you need to talk to your vehicle dealer. Therefore, the PSI unit is what the readings of the pressure gauge will be.
In some cases, your tires will require different levels of pressure. Therefore, you need to note down the correct PSI levels for each tire. It will help you get a clear picture of the tire pressures.
Further, helping you avoid confusion while checking the pressure.
Use the Gauge
After you have prepared everything, you need to get your pressure gauge. Further, you need to unscrew your tire’s valve cap and set it aside. Make sure to keep the cap secure if you do not have access to spares.
Now, place the digital gauge on your tire’s valve stem. Moreover, try to press down as hard as possible to create a flat system until the hissing sound goes away. If you have done it swiftly, the pressure gauge will show a PSI reading on the screen.
If you have a standard gauge, the reading system will be different. Once you press it against the valve system, the pressure will push out a bar. Moreover, this small bar will emerge from the bottom of your gauge.
Consequently, on closer inspection, you will see the units of measurements on that bar. However, make sure to move it swiftly once the bar pops out. Now, you have to note the reading and move on to the other tires.
In case you can hear air escaping, you need to follow the steps again! Further, you can check the pressure as compared to the recommended limits in your vehicle. With this, you now know how to check tire pressure!
Fill in Your Tire
Maintaining your tire pressure is just as important as wheel alignment. Both serve to reduce premature tread wear! Moreover, once you have checked your pressure, you can start refilling them.
If your pressure is lower than the recommended PSI, refill the tire using an air compressor. However, you can only find them at gas stations. Each of them has a different usage; therefore, make sure to follow the instructions.
Going to a gas station will mean that your tires are not cold. Moreover, it is impossible to wait there for four hours to cool them. So, what do you do?
It is necessary to keep them cool while checking the pressure. However, inflating a hot tire is plausible. All you have to do is set the pressure 4 PSI above the recommended cold inflation pressure.
Then, fill in each of them by placing them over the valve stem. Further, press on the device present in the compressor to inflate the tires. Once you are done, check the pressure again to make sure it is the same.
However, it is dangerous to drive with overinflated tires as it is an accident risk!
How to Check Tire Pressure without a Gauge?
Once you push your hands onto the tires, you will feel them be squishy and soft. If so, then the pressure is low. On the other hand, if they are hard and you are unable to push down, it means overinflation.
If you find it to be low on pressure, you can inflate it using an air compressor. Moreover, keep checking the tires to feel a perfect balance – not too soft or hard. If the tires have overinflation, you let some air out through the valve stem.
Endnotes
It is important to check your tire pressure to maintain a longer life. Moreover, the right PSI allows better traction and acceleration. Further, reducing the chances of a flat tire. You will also get better handling ability and less damage to the tires.
Now that you know how to check tire pressure, it is time for you to enhance their durability!
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