How to Check and Fill Your Tire Pressure

Difficulty: Beginner Time: 5–15 minutes

Tires lose a little air every month, and more when the weather turns cold. Low tires wear out faster, waste gas, make the car handle worse, and can turn on the tire pressure light.

Checking takes about 5 minutes with an inexpensive gauge, and many gas stations have an air machine. The most important thing is using the right number: the one for your car, not the one printed on the tire.

What you'll need

Step by step

1. 1

   Find your car’s correct pressure

   Look on the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb (sometimes in the glove box or fuel door). It lists the recommended PSI for the front and rear tires.

2. 2

   Check when the tires are cold

   Check before driving, or after the car has sat for a few hours. Driving warms the tires and makes the reading higher than it really is.

3. 3

   Remove the valve cap

   Unscrew the small cap on the tire’s valve stem and put it somewhere you won’t lose it.

4. 4

   Read the pressure

   Press the gauge straight onto the valve firmly until the hissing stops, then read the number. Check all four tires.

5. 5

   Add air where needed

   Press the air hose onto the valve in short bursts, then check again with your gauge. Gas station gauges are often inaccurate, so trust your own.

6. 6

   Let some out if it is too high

   If you overfill, press the small pin in the center of the valve with the back of the gauge or a fingernail to let air out, then re-check.

7. 7

   Put the caps back on

   Screw each valve cap back on to keep dirt and moisture out.

Tips

• Check your tires about once a month and whenever the weather turns cold. Pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature.
• If one tire keeps going low, it probably has a slow leak. Many tire shops fix simple punctures inexpensively.
• Some cars also show each tire’s pressure on the dashboard screen.

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Frequently asked questions

What PSI should my tires be?

Use the numbers on the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb. Most passenger cars are somewhere around 30 to 36 PSI, but your car’s sticker is the right answer.

Should I use the PSI on the tire sidewall?

No. The number on the tire is the maximum it can safely hold, not the recommended pressure for your car. Use the door jamb sticker.

How often should I check tire pressure?

About once a month, before long trips, and when the weather turns cold. It only takes a few minutes with a gauge.

Is it okay to check tire pressure after driving?

You can, but the reading will be a few PSI high because the tires are warm. For an accurate reading, check when the tires are cold.

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