In 2019, there were 612 traffic deaths caused by tire issues. That includes accidents caused by blowouts, breaking issues cause by tire tread problems, and more.
Aside from the obvious safety issue, improperly inflated tires can hurt your fuel efficiency, make your tires wear out faster, and even make it more difficult to drive your vehicle.
While it’s clear that tire inflation is important, you might not know how to check tire pressure. After all, you can’t do anything to fix the problem if you don’t know if there is one.
Read on to learn how to check the pressure in your tires so you can get the best tire performance possible.
Begin with Cold Tires
When you drive your car, your tires heat up from the friction with the road. This can artificially raise the pressure reading on your tires.
For the most accurate pressure reading, check your tires after it’s been parked overnight. In a pinch, you can also get a true reading if you’ve only driven a mile or two.
Check the Recommended Manufacturer PSI
PSI stands for pounds per square inch and that’s how tire pressure is measured. All vehicle manufacturers provide a PSI that’s best for the specific vehicle, regardless of what kind of tires you have.
For example, Ozzytyres.com.au sells a range of different tires for different performance levels. But, the right tire pressure is determined by your car. That’s because it takes into account the weight of your vehicle.
Look inside the driver door jamb for a sticker. You should see the PSI listed for each tire. If you can’t find it, look in your owner’s manual or online to find the right information for your car.
Use a Tire Pressure Gauge
The next step is to check the pressure of your tires with a gauge. You can find these at any store that sells auto supplies.
Take the cap off the air stem on one of the tires. Press the gauge onto the stem and check the reading. You should see a number that’s the PSI.
Write down this number and repeat the process for every tire. Put the caps back on the stems.
Add Air if You Need It
If any of your tires had a low reading, use an air compressor at a gas station to fill it up. Once you’ve added some air check the pressure again using your gauge.
If you’ve overinflated it, just press on the stem with your gauge until you hear air rushing out. Check the pressure again and repeat if there’s still too much pressure.
Knowing How to Check Tire Pressure Is a Key Skill
It’s important for every driver to know how to check tire pressure. It can extend the life of your tires and make your car safer to drive. It can even prevent accidents caused by tire blowouts.
You should aim to check your tire pressure once every few months.
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