One of the most important things that we often miss out on when getting our cars fixed or maintained is checking tyre pressure. However, checking tyre pressure is essential for your safety and ensuring your vehicle performs at its best. Underinflated or overinflated tyres can lead to reduced handling, decreased fuel efficiency, and even the risk of a blowout.
Before we delve into how you can properly inflate your tyres, it’s first important to understand why this is crucial.
Properly inflated tyres provide optimal traction, improves the stability of your vehicle, and offers better handling - ultimately keeping you and your passengers safe. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel efficiency, which ends up costing you more at the pump. On the other hand, overinflated tyres can lead to uneven wear, which reduces tyre longevity.
Now, let’s look into the materials and tools you’d need to check and fill your tyres:
With these materials and tools in hand, you’re ready to check and fix your tyre pressure.
The first step is to ensure your car is parked on a levelled surface. Next, to identify the correct pressure for your tyres, you may take a look at your vehicle’s owner manual or check the sticker in your driver's side door jamb for the recommended tyre pressure.
With the correct pressure identified, visually inspect your tyres for any visible damage, such as cuts, punctures or bulges. If you notice any issues, we recommend consulting a mechanic before attempting to inflate or deflate your tyres. Now, remove your tyre valve caps from all four tyres and set them aside.
Using the tyre pressure gauge, attach it to the first valve and press firmly to get a stable reading. You should compare this reading with the recommended pressure mentioned on your manual or door jamb sticker.
Now comes the important bit - adding or releasing air. If the pressure in your tyres is too low, use the air compressor to add air to the tyre, however, if it’s too high, release some air by pressing the valve’s centre pin with the gauge until you reach the recommended pressure. It would be best to repeat these steps for all four tyres to ensure each one is filled with the right value.
Screw the valve caps back onto the valve stems to keep out dirt and moisture. Once done, you may once again visually inspect your tyres and even press your thumb down onto the tyre to ensure things are okay. You could also take your vehicle for a short test drive to ensure it handles correctly and the tyre pressure remains stable. And you’re good to go!
Properly inflating your tyres is a simple yet critical aspect of vehicle maintenance. It ensures your safety on the road, improves fuel efficiency, and extends the life of your tyres. By following this guide and making tyre maintenance a regular habit, you can enjoy a smoother, safer, and stress free driving experience!
