Having a reliable vehicle gives you the freedom to get where you need to go when you need to go without stressing about how you’ll get from point A to point B. Of course, owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility! One of the most important aspects of being a responsible car owner is keeping up with your vehicle’s regular maintenance. Some maintenance is more involved than others and requires the help of a professional mechanic, but there’s a lot you can do yourself too! Checking your tire pressure during a regular stop at the gas station will keep your car in better, safer condition for years to come.
What is Your Ideal Tire Pressure?
Before you can check your tire pressure, you need to determine the target tire pressure for your vehicle. You can find the suggested tire pressure in a few different places. First, on the tire itself. Second, on the tag inside your driver’s side door. Finally, in the car owner’s manual. If the suggested tire pressure is different on the tire and in the manual, always opt for the manual’s suggested tire pressure.
Checking the Pressure
To check your tire pressure, you’ll need a tire gauge. Most gas station air pumps have a built-in tire gauge, but these tend to be unreliable and prone to poor readings. Purchasing your own tire pressure gauge to keep in the car is the easiest way to get a reliable reading. With your gauge ready, remove the valve stem from one tire and read the tire pressure. Add air to the tire using the gas station air pump until all four tires have reached the suggested pressure.
How often should you check your tire pressure?
Tire pressure should be checked once a month. You can do it the first time you get gas at the start of a new month to make it easy to remember! Regardless of if the month has passed or not, check your tire pressure if your car feels like it’s driving unevenly, a tire is visibly lower than the rest, or your car’s internal pressure sensor alerts you that something is off. Maintaining the proper tire pressure will help keep your car safe on the road and extend the life of your existing tires!
If you’ve never checked your tire pressure before, don’t be intimidated! It is as easy as it sounds. Once you get the hang of it, regularly checking the tour tire pressure will be an easy addition to your existing routine.
