Close How to Check Tire Pressure
Tires require enough air for you to ride around Burlington, Princeton, and Trenton, New Jersey, with confidence. If they do not have enough inflation, your drives may fall flat. To learn how to check tire pressure, Burlington Kia will tell you what you need and how to get enough air into your tires.
Which Tools Do I Need to Check Tire Pressure?
If you want to check your tire pressure, you need the right tools. A tire gauge can be a very handy tool that you’ll use plenty of times.
When you’re shopping for a tire gauge, you can choose between a standard or a digital model. Standard gauges measure air pressure, and you can find out the PSI (pounds per square inch) from where the arrow or small bar points. With a digital model, a small screen shows the PSI. Our service technicians can steer you toward the ideal model for you.
You may also want to buy an air compressor that you can store in your garage. Better yet, go to a gas station that supplies drivers with air compressors that come with built-in gauges. Generally, these facilities provide complimentary or low-cost air. Make sure you bring your own gauge to double-check the measurements.
How Do I Check My Tires?
Your tire gauge can check the tire pressure whenever you’re concerned that it may be low. Check your tires in the morning before you drive to your targeted destination. A “cold” tire read will be the most accurate, which means that you haven’t used the car or have driven a very short distance.
The inside of your car doors contains the ideal number to aim for when filling your tires with air. Avoid using the number on the sidewall of the tire because that’s the maximum pressure allowed. Front and rear tires tend to differ in the PSI that they need, so check your owner’s manual for the correct number.
To get started, remove the valve cap on your tire. Twist it off and place the gauge on the valve stem, which is located on the sidewall of the tire. You’ll hear a brief hiss, and then the reading will appear.
Since you own a tire gauge, check them on a monthly basis. Then you can keep them at the right level.
How to Inflate Your Tires
With access to an air compressor, at home or at a local gas station, it’s time to inflate your tires. Place the compressor tube on the valve stem and start inflating your tires. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, stop by for some help with air.
You’ll want to make sure that your tires have enough air. Here are some telltale signs that they do or do not have enough air.
- Overinflated Tires: Overinflation leads to less traction, early aging, and poor impact absorption. Tires may feel extremely hard or stiff. To reverse this, you can release a bit of air.
- Underinflated Tires: Underinflation causes tires to bend, overheat, and damage tire edges. Take a second measurement and reinflate your tires to the correct level.
- Correctly Inflated Tires: The tire will be uniform across the width of the tire when it has enough air.
Now you can feel confident when driving all over the state.
Learn How to Check Tire Pressure
After you learn how to check tire pressure from Burlington Kia, you’ll feel confident driving around Burlington, Princeton, and Trenton, NJ. Contact us online today to schedule a tire service.