3 Steps to Checking Tire Pressure
Checking your own tire pressure is one of the easiest things to do in maintaining your vehicle.
The first thing you will need to do is to get a good tire gauge that is easy to read. I am a huge fan of digital gauges with a backlight so you can read it after dark if the need ever arises. One of my favorites is this model (shown below) or something similar. You can pick one up on Amazon for about $13.00.
Once you have your tire gauge in hand then you need to learn how to properly check tire pressure. Be sure to know in advance what pressure your tires are supposed to be at by finding the information located on the tire or vehicle. Then, follow the specific instructions that came with your gauge to check all of your tires.
Remember to put the cap back on after checking your tires! It may be small but it is not just a decoration. That little cap keeps dirt from getting into the valve stem and pushing the pin sideways which will allow the air to seep out and possibly leave you stranded at an inconvenient time.
Preventive action prevents a ton of regret so get your free Vehicle Maintenance Log and keep up with these things!
Mistakes in Checking Tire Pressure
Don't make these easily avoidable mistakes in checking tire pressure.
There is a good time and a bad time to check tires. The worst time to check tire pressure is when they are warm or hot (as in when you have just gotten home from a coffee run). This is because you will get an inaccurate reading when tires are hot. Remember in grade school science where we learned that heat causes things to expand? So check your tires when they are still cool.
Those little caps are not just a decorative item. If you do not replace them after checking the tire pressure you run the risk of getting dirt and debris into the tire stem. There is not much extra room around the pin so it doesn't take much dirt getting into that space to push the pin to one side. When that happens air will seep out and your tire will get low. Too much dirt can also prevent an accurate reading on a tire gauge as well as obstructing air when you go to add it.
Have you ever heard someone say that a tire is low just because they looked at it. That might possibly be true if it is really low or flat but just looking at tires to check them is not an accurate measure.
If you really want to feel confident about your tires check the pressure regularly. Keep in mind that a tire that is not aired up correctly can not only decrease the life of the tire but can cost you as much as 5 miles to the gallon in fuel economy. With the price of fuel these days you need all the miles to the gallon you can get.
For a great video demonstration of how to check your tire pressure just click this link. There is no cost or obligation to get access to the free video and it also demonstrates some of the common places on vehicles to find the manufacturers recommendations.
Myths of Tire Pressure
We all chuckle about certain phrases when we hear them because we know they mostly aren't true. You know the ones like “The check is in the mail” and “Your package is out for delivery”.
Well, there are myths about all kinds of things and here are some common ones about your tires.
“As long as the tires look ok they are fine and you don't need to worry about them.” Tires have a certain lifespan and they need to be checked regularly. Correct tire pressure and a visual inspection on a regular basis will save you lots of stress.
“That little cap isn't all that important. If it is missing it is no big deal.” The truth is that the little cap keeps dirt, dust and debris out of the valve stem. Keeping the valve stem covered and clean will extend the life of the stem itself as well as preventing air loss which can leave you stranded.
“If there is a nail in the tire it can just be patched or plugged and it will hold forever.” Most of the time a patch or plug is no more than a bandaid for the tire. In general, it is not designed to be a permanent fix in spite of what the tire guy tells you. That being said, I have had tire patches last longer than the vehicle but it is always a gamble. The best route is to have the tire replaced as soon as you can.
When you keep a Vehicle Maintenance Log in your vehicle and keep it up to date you will have a good idea as to when you will be needing your tires rotated or replaced and can better plan for the expense. If you don't have a Vehicle Maintenance Log then go here and get a free one. Such a small investment of your time will pay such a big return with peace of mind.
Tips on Tire Pressure
Here are my top tips on the care of your vehicle tires.
The very first thing is to get an accurate tire gauge and know how to use it. Be sure and locate the correct PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) for your vehicle so you know if the air pressure is too high or too low.
Check the pressure at least monthly when your tires are cool. If you do this right after a trip to town the reading will be off because of the heat.
Always replace the valve stem caps after checking the tire pressure. This will prevent dirt getting into the stem and pushing the pin over which can cause a slow leak. Should you find that a valve stem cap is missing you can get a replacements at your local auto parts store. These are very inexpensive and spares can stay in the glovebox until they are needed.
While we are talking about checking things on your vehicle regularly be sure and get your Vehicle Maintenance Log here. It is a free download so you can print it out, fill it in and have it handy in your vehicle.
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