![]() If you hear air escaping from the valve, push the gauge in further until it stops. Be careful not to lose the caps, as they protect the valves.ĥ. Insert the end of the tire-pressure gauge into the valve and depress it. Tires heat up as a vehicle is driven, which increases the air pressure and makes it difficult to accurately assess any pressure change.Ĥ. Check each tire by first removing the screw-off cap from each tire’s inflation valve. The recommended pressure provides the best combination of performance, ride comfort, service life, and fuel economy.ģ. Check the pressure when the tires are cold: after they’ve sat for at least three hours and before the car’s been driven more than a couple of miles. Important: Use the pressure recommended by your car’s manufacturer, not the "max pressure" figure found on the tire sidewall. Many placards also list the metric equivalent in "kPa" (Kilopascal).įront- and rear-tire pressure may differ. Typical inflation pressures range from 28 to 36 psi (pounds per square inch). This information is usually located on a placard or sticker in the driver’s-side doorjamb, inside the glove compartment or fuel-filler door. Don’t trust the gauge on a gas station’s air pump to be accurate.Ģ. Find out what the recommended pressure setting is for your car. Here’s a step-by-step guide:ġ. Use a good, well-maintained tire-pressure gauge. Don’t go by "max pressure" figure found on the tire sidewall.Ĭhecking your car’s tire pressure takes only a few minutes. This information may also be in your owner’s manual. When checking and adding air to your tires, go by the automaker’s recommended pressure setting, which is usually located on a placard or sticker in the driver’s-side doorjamb or inside the glove compartment or fuel-filler door. An unmounted tire inflated to 32 psi will still measure nearly the same when it’s mounted and bearing the weight of the car. The air pressure within a tire is almost unaffected by the weight of the car. It’s better to keep your gauge at room temperature. While it’s convenient to keep a pressure gauge in the glove box, very hot or cold temperatures can impact performance. A typical car tire measured at 30 psi during 80-degree temperatures will register 25 psi when the outside temperature drops to 30 degrees. Tire pressure drops as the weather gets colder. The valve stem’s dust cap is to keep dirt out, not air in. With a tire that is undamaged and properly mounted on the rim, most of the pressure loss comes from air migrating through the rubber sidewall, not through the inflation valve. Nearly all tires lose pressure gradually over time, even if the car isn’t driven or the tire isn’t mounted on the car. They can also be bulky and typically cost more money, running from $20 to $50. Most dial gauges are easy to read, but models with an extension hose take two hands to operate. Some dial gauges have more features than pocket-sized gauges-including an extension hose, bleeder valve, dual-scale dial, and shock-resistant dial cover-but we have found that they aren’t necessarily more accurate. While batteries can last for years, depending on use, they will run down eventually and need replacement.ĭial gauges have an analog dial, resembling a clock face, with a simple needle to indicate the pressure. On the down side, however, digital gauges are a little bulkier than stick gauges and they require batteries. Some digital readouts light up, making them handy for checking pressure in low-light conditions. They’re also more resistant to damage from dust and dirt. Stick-type gauges, which somewhat resemble a ballpoint pen, are simple, compact, and affordable, but they are a little harder to interpret than most digital gauges.ĭigital gauges have an electronic LCD display, like a pocket calculator, making them easier to read. If you buy online to save money, check shipping charges to see if the purchase is still a bargain. If you need to check pressure in a darkened area, consider a digital gauge with an illuminated display. ![]() Buy a gauge with a wide-enough range that it can measure the pressure in a temporary spare, which is typically 60 psi. ![]() There are three types of tire-pressure gauges: stick, digital, and dial. ![]()
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