Maintaining proper tire inflation is relatively simple and essential to the overall tire performance of your vehicle. A properly inflated tire will provide longer life, quicker steering response, better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride than an improperly inflated tire. Both underinflation and overinflation can cause headaches like premature treadwear and possible tire failure. The best way to ensure you're getting the most out of your tires is to check your tire pressure on a monthly basis.
Knowing how to use a tire pressure gauge is very simple. Here’s how to check tire pressure and refill your tires.
Items You Need When Checking Tire Pressure
Tire pressure gauge
Air compressor
Pen and paper
Your tire pressure gauge can be digital or standard. Auto parts stores typically carry both. Many auto parts stores sell portable air compressors that run from your car battery or 12v power port. Alternatively, you can use the air compressor found at most gas stations. They usually cost $0.50 or $1.00 to use.
Vehicle manufacturers specify PSI – literally “pounds per square inch” of pressure – assuming tires are cold. Tires are considered cold when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or more, or if the vehicle has been driven less than a mile (1.6 km) at moderate speed. PSI is the unit your pressure gauge uses to provide readings.
Look on the driver’s side door jamb or your owner’s manual to find the recommended cold tire PSI for your front and rear tires. If you cannot find it, you should consult your vehicle dealer, manufacturer, or a qualified tire professional.
If your front and rear tires require different pressure levels, write down the correct PSI for each to avoid getting confused as you move around your vehicle checking tire pressure.
Remove the valve cap from one of your tires. Then place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press down hard enough so the hiss sound disappears and your gauge provides a reading. With a standard gauge, the air pressure will push a small bar out from the bottom of the gauge. Measurement units are etched into the bar. A digital gauge will show you the reading on a screen.
Write down the reading and repeat this process for all four tires.
Use an air compressor to refill any tires with low pressure. Many air compressors are different, so read directions carefully to be sure you’re using it correctly.
If you’re using the air compressor at a gas station, be sure to park so that the hose will reach all four tires. Insert change into the machine until you hear the motor running. Fill each tire by placing the end of the hose over the valve stem and pressing on the lever.
Using a gas station air compressor means your tires might be “hot.
” If it is necessary to adjust inflation pressure when tires are “hot”, set their pressure to 4 psi (14 kPa) above the recommended cold inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires are cold.
After filling your tires, use the gauge to check pressure again. At this point, it’s ok if you overfilled the tires because you can always let some air back out. Never drive on overinflated tires. Overinflation can result in decreased traction, premature wear, and decreased impact absorption.
Make the above procedure a monthly ritual. Regularly checking your tire pressure is the best way to ensure your tires never dip far below the optimal PSI.
Accuracy matters and you should keep that in mind when choosing a gauge. For just a few dollars, you can find a quality, accurate tire pressure gauge that gives accurate readings. If you’re not sure which one to purchase, ask a professional technician which he or she prefers.
A digital tire pressure gauge will provide accurate readings, but don’t forget that it operates on a battery. If you think having to replace the battery will prevent you from using it, it’s best to go with a standard gauge.
It’s best to use your personal tire gauge versus those available attached to air hoses at service stations. Of all the pressure gauges out there, they’re the most likely to be weathered, and possibly inaccurate.
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Driving is a luxury that many people across the country enjoy, but if proper care isn’t taken to maintain a vehicle, it can result in rapid wear, part failure, and poor control. Tires are one of the features of a car that can sometimes be overlooked, but it’s important to ensure that you know how to use a gauge to check tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase braking distance, reduce steering control, and accelerate tire wear, which can result in complete tire failure. Overinflated tires are not as hazardous, but they can still increase tire wear, affect the wear pattern of the treads, and reduce control. To ensure that your tires are not under- or overinflated, it’s necessary to understand how to use a tire pressure gauge.
Tools & MaterialsIt’s best to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, such as first thing in the morning or after the vehicle has been parked in the shade for several hours.
This helps to increase the accuracy of the readings. In order to test tire pressure, you’ll need to purchase a viable tool such as this tire pressure gauge—a favorite in our researched guide to the best tire pressure gauges.
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Learning how to use a low-pressure tire gauge is relatively simple, though you will need to find the manufacturer’s recommended PSI before you can begin. While it may seem like the first thing to do is take out the tire pressure gauge, that wouldn’t get you very far unless you already knew the manufacturer’s recommended PSI for the tires. Given that most people don’t typically memorize this information, it’s a good idea to check and verify before using the tire pressure gauge.
Tire and loading information is commonly included in the owner’s manual, though you may also be able to find it on a sticker on the driver’s side door, near the trunk lid, inside the fuel door, or even inside the console. Look for a two-digit number, like 35, followed by PSI, which means pounds per square inch.
Related: The Best Jump Starters With Air Compressors for Your Car
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STEP 2: Locate the tire valve and remove the cap.Each tire has a valve used to inflate or deflate it, depending on the suggested PSI and the current tire pressure. The tire valve is typically a small, black tube about an inch long with a threaded cap. It can commonly be found on the inside of the rubber wheel, protruding through a gap in the hubcap. Locate this valve, then remove the threaded cap so that the tire pressure gauge can fit over the top of the valve. Make sure to keep track of the tire valve cap because it’s very small and easy to lose.
STEP 3: Press the gauge onto the tire valve.The next step to learning how to use a tire pressure gauge is to simply press the gauge down onto the tire valve after the threaded cap has been removed. Each tire valve contains a spring-loaded valve core that automatically seals itself using air pressure from inside the tire.
By pressing the gauge against the valve core, the gauge opens the valve to the internal air pressure of the tire and allows the gauge to act as the seal while simultaneously measuring the tire’s PSI rating.
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STEP 4: Check the reading on the tire pressure gauge.The tire pressure gauge should be held firmly against the open tire valve so that no air is escaping. If the tire pressure gauge is making a hissing sound, you need to adjust the angle of the gauge inside the tire valve until it is silent. This indicates that the tire pressure gauge is measuring the full tire pressure instead of getting a partial reading due to escaping air. To check the reading on the tire pressure gauge, simply read the slide ruler for manual pen gauges, the dial for dial pressure gauges, or the digital screen for digital pressure gauges. The ruler, dial, or screen should display the current tire pressure in PSI.
Photo: istockphoto.com
After taking the tire pressure measurement, write down the current pressure for each tire so that you don’t forget and need to check again.
If the pressure within each tire is too high, you can easily drain some air by holding the tire pressure gauge against the tire valve at an angle, listening for the hiss of escaping air. Periodically check the tire pressure to ensure that you don’t drain too much air and stop once you reach the desired PSI.
If the pressure within the tire is too low, connect an air compressor such as this portable inflator—a favorite in our researched guide to the best tire inflators—to the tire valve to inflate it. After inflating the tire, use the tire pressure gauge to check the PSI and make sure it is now at the correct level according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
It’s advised to check the tire pressure on your vehicle at least once per month to ensure that you are safe while driving and not doing any unexpected damage to your tires.
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RELATED: I Tried a Cordless Tire Inflator―Did It Work?
Final ThoughtsEffectively using a tire pressure gauge is a necessary skill for a driver to have in order to be certain that their vehicle is properly maintained.
Additionally, by checking the tire pressure of the vehicle, drivers can ensure that they are getting the most out of each tire, instead of accidentally causing premature wear and tear due to overinflated or underinflated tires. Also, keep in mind that you can deflate a car tire with only a tire pressure gauge, but to fill the tire you will need access to an air compressor and a suitable attachment for filling tires. Consider investing in a home air compressor or find a local gas station that has one available for use.
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08/27/2013 12:12
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How can you tell if the tire fitting work was carried out to a high quality level? First, let's outline the criteria by which you should choose a tire center. Quite often on automotive forums there are questions from motorists that sound something like this; “Who will advise the master on the engine / chassis / painting, etc.
, but there are few useful recommendations regarding workshops that are engaged in tire fitting. Why? The whole point is that poor-quality repairs to the engine, suspension, or poor body painting become obvious very soon, but dishonestly done wheel balancing and tire fitting are not so obvious.
And even when a problem arises, it is very difficult to find out exactly which master cheated and when. But in fact, a lot depends on the work of a tire fitting master - from the durability of the car's suspension to its behavior on the road during extreme situations. Do not forget, if the car's engine stalls, then it will stop right on the road, and if a tire bursts, then an extremely sad or even deadly situation can arise. Therefore, understanding motorists treat tire fitting as a full-fledged service station, and just as conscientiously choose a master.
Tire fitting includes the following functions:
1) Mounting and dismounting of wheels;
2) Car tire pressure check;
3) Tire change;
4) Patching, hot curing;
5) Wheel balancing.
How can you tell if the tire fitting work was carried out to a high quality level? First, let's outline the criteria by which you should choose a tire center. Avoid wagons and various roadside booths on which the word "tire service" is written by hand with paints. The level of service in such establishments will be satisfactory for motorcycles, Zhiguli, Muscovites and tractors. Unless, of course, you have an alternative, then you will have to use this one, but at the first opportunity it is recommended to contact a decent tire center.
Choose a tire shop based on the quality of their work, not proximity to home or cost. Try to have all the wheels serviced at one tire shop, and even by one master. When he knows your car and its features, it will be easier for him to do his job. Plus, if you have any problems, you'll know who to contact.
Sit down and analyze what attitude your master and all the staff in the tire center have towards work. Look around, if the craftsmen are dressed in dirty clothes, and no one cleans the premises for six months, then it is probably better for you to refuse the services of this workshop.
Also carefully inspect the tool, it must be in working order.
Carefully observe how the tire fitter works, here are the actions he should not perform in any case:
1) Hit the wheels with a sledgehammer or an iron hammer;
2) Balance dirty wheels. The disk and tires must be pre-cleaned;
3) Repair alloy wheels by heating;
4) Repair radial tires that have carcass damage - the use of these tires, even if repaired, is life-threatening;
5) Tighten nuts and bolts with a pneumatic wrench;
6) Prohibit the client to personally verify the balancing result, on the contrary, respectable stations install a small window through which the client sees the results on the monitor of the balancing machine;
7) brush aside customer questions and refuse to explain in detail what he is doing and why;
8) Release a client without first checking the tire pressure. Remember that your life and safety depend on the quality of tire fitting services.
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Each manufacturer indicates the so-called wear index on the tire profile, which most often looks like the inscription “Treadwear 100” and means a maximum of 48,000 km on a standard road surface (polygon). In a real environment and often not the most ideal roads, this number actually needs to be divided by 1.5 - we get 36,000 km.
By analogy, if the wear resistance index is 150, then this means “factory” 72 thousand km, 200 - 96 thousand km.
, and so on.
What are the dangers of worn tires on the road:
adhesion to the roadway deteriorates, which leads to an increased likelihood of skidding, accidents, hydroplaning in case of rainy weather;
reduced cross-country ability in off-road conditions;
increases the risk of a tire puncture while driving.
It is also worth remembering that the issue of tire wear is regulated by traffic rules, and you can get a fine for using “bald” rubber. Knowing what maximum tire wear is acceptable, this is easy to avoid: 1.5-2 mm for summer, and 4-5 mm for winter (a more accurate figure is indicated by the manufacturer).
1. According to the wear indicator on the tire. To find this indicator, you need to inspect the side of the tire and find one of the markings: a triangle, a company logo, a snowflake, or the abbreviation TWI. If the tread has worn down to this indicator, it means that the tire needs to be disposed of urgently.
2. Many people in the old fashioned way prefer to use a 10-kopeck coin. Insert it into the tread with the inscription "10 kopecks" towards you, and if it is visible, the wear level is too high, you need to replace the tire. This method is convenient, but not entirely accurate: by measuring wear in different parts of the tire in this way, it will be difficult to estimate its unevenness by eye, and this is also an extremely important indicator.
3. It is optimal to use a special gauge, depth ruler or caliper for these purposes. This will allow you to measure the wear of the tread in different parts of the tire with an accuracy of up to a millimeter and understand if there is uneven wear.
If measurements show different results in different parts of the tread, it is important to determine exactly how your tires wear in order to understand where and what the operating error is.
If the tread wears more on the sides and the center wears off less, this means that the tire pressure is insufficient and the contact patch with the road is not correct.
This leads not only to poor vehicle stability, but also to increased fuel consumption.
If the tread is worn down the middle but the sidewalls are fine, then your tires are overinflated. Sometimes this is done intentionally in order to save fuel, but in this case, the tires will still have to be changed ahead of schedule.
There is also the possibility of increased wear on the inside or outside of the tread - this indicates an incorrect camber. A visual table with wear options and their causes:
Cracks on the sides of tires can indicate frequent off-road driving, improper storage, low-quality rubber or long service life, as well as incorrect tire pressure.
Bulges or "hernias" on the sides of the tires appear as a result of the side part hitting hard obstacles. Tires with such damage are not recommended.
Dents on the tread indicate insufficient depreciation and unadjusted camber.
Having found such damage, it is necessary to drive the car to the service and make sure that the suspension is in good condition.
Individual wear spots on the tread indicate aggressive driving / braking, skidding with wheel locks, or prolonged parking of the car in one position.
Most often, this is required for the sale and purchase of used tires in order to orient the buyer in the degree of their wear. Many sellers give this figure at random, but this method has nothing to do with the actual assessment of the degree of tire wear. It is also important to understand that a conditional 50% wear for a summer tire is an acceptable value, while 50% wear of a winter tire tread is a sign that the tire cannot be used. Therefore, it is important to know how to accurately determine the percentage of tire wear so as not to get into an unpleasant situation.
Many people divide the actual tread height by the height of the same, but new tire, and get a certain percentage of wear.
This would be correct, if not for one BUT: we cannot physically erase the tread to zero, and the law prohibits the use of tires with a tread below the permitted values.
You can calculate actual tire wear by dividing the difference between the new tire height and the actual tire height by the difference between the new tire tread height and the minimum possible tread height for that tire, and then multiplying this number by 100.
If it is impossible to find out the height of the same, but with a new tire, use the average values of your tire type:
| Tire type | Average tread height at start of use |
| Winter tires with Scandinavian tread | 10 mm |
| Winter with regular or asymmetric tread | 9 mm |
| High-speed winter | 7 mm |
| Summer tires with classic tread | 8 mm |
| Summer speed | 7 mm |
You can check summer tires for wear a little less often than winter tires, since in summer the tread depth is not so important for patency.
