Blog

Maintaining the proper air pressure is a very easy way to increase the life of your tires! Properly inflated tires can not only improve tire life, but they will give you better handling, increase fuel efficiency and provide an overall optimal ride. With just a few minutes of your time, you could increase your gas mileage by up to 3%!

All vehicles manufactured after 2007 come with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) that will tell you if a tire is over-inflated or under-inflated. However, it’s still a good idea to manually check your tire pressure every few months. It’s quick, easy, and essential to maximizing your vehicle's performance and safety.

Tire Pressure Gauges

Let’s start with the air pressure gauge. There are stick or pencil gauges, dial gauges, and digital gauges. They all have their benefits, but whichever one you choose, it’s important to always use the same one so your readings are always consistent.

Finding the recommended air pressure

First, you need to find out what your vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire pressures are. It is measured in PSI which stands for pounds per sq inch. This information can be found on the driver’s side door or inside your owner’s manual. Most cars recommended about 30-35 PSI. Please note there may be a difference between the front and rear tire pressures. DO NOT use the PSI amount printed on the sidewall of the tire. This is maximum inflation pressure, not recommended PSI. Filling your tire to this pressure is unsafe and could result in a blowout.

You also always want to check the air pressure when the tire is cold. That means the car has not been driven for at least 3 hours or less than a mile at moderate speed.

How to check the air pressure.

1. Remove the valve stem caps from each tire and put them in a safe spot, like your pocket.

2. Press the gauge firmly on the valve stem, pressing down hard enough that the “hiss” sound disappears. On the stick gauge, a thin bar will pop out from the bottom of the gauge, showing the PSI by the markings. A dial gauge will display the pressure on the dial, and a digital gauge will show the tire pressure on the screen. You may need to take the pressure 2-3 times to get the most accurate reading.

3. It’s a good idea to write down the air pressure readings you get and compare them to the recommended air pressure found on the driver’s door.

4. Once finished, screw on the valve stem caps.

How to add air to a tire.

1. Park your car where you can easily access all four tires with an air hose and set the emergency brake.

2. Unscrew the valve stem caps on each tire and put them in a safe spot, like your pocket.

3. Check the air pressure using an air pressure gauge. (see above instructions) If you’re using a gas station air pump, don’t rely on the pressure gauge, it is most likely inaccurate. Note: If your tires are “warm” or if you have driven at least 15 miles or 15 minutes, add 2-4 PSI to the reading to compensate for the higher pressure.

4. Turn on the air compressor. You typically just need to press a button if it’s a free pump to get started. Otherwise, it should start once your payment is processed.

5. Press the air hose nozzle down onto the valve stem. Some air pumps may have a handle or lever that needs to be squeezed to get the air flowing. As a rule of thumb, for each pound you are low, it’s about 1 second on the air compressor. If you are 5 pounds low, you will need to count to 5 to add approximately 5 pounds of air. Check the air pressure and continue adding air until you reach the recommended air pressure.

6. If you added too much air, release some air by pressing the pin inside the valve stem with the air hose nozzle or with the little knob on the back of a stick tire pressure gauge.

7. Continue with the remaining tires until they are all at the proper air pressure, and put the air hose back. The air compressor will automatically turn off.

8. Screw the valve caps back on. Now of course if you always drive to your closest Hilltop Tire Service Center and we will gladly check and fill your tires for FREE!

Lets start with the gauge. There are stick gauges, dial gauges and digital gauges. They all have their benefits, but whichever one you choose, it’s important to always use the same one so your readings are always consistent.

When adding air, unscrew the valve cap and attached the air hose to the valve stem. Apply pressure evenly, after you have added the desired amount, you should check the pressure again with your gauge. As a rule of thumb, for each pound you are low, it’s about 1 second on the air compressor. If you are 3 pounds low, you need to count to 3 to add approx. 3 pounds of air.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the least expensive preventive maintenance measures you can take!

With just a few minutes of your time and a couple of dollars out of your pocket, inflating your tires can increase your gas mileage by up to 3%! Correctly inflated tires will also result in improved handling, longer tire life, and a lower risk of accidents and tire blowouts.

We recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a month. Pick a date you will remember, like the first day of the month or payday, and be consistent about checking the pressure on that day, especially as the seasons change.

Read: How Does Cold Weather Impact Tire Pressure?

How to Check Tire Pressure

All vehicles manufactured after 2007 have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that alerts you when your tires are overinflated or underinflated. However, it’s still a good idea to regularly check your tire pressure manually.

When measuring tire pressure, you’re looking at pounds per square inch (PSI). Most cars require around 30–35 PSI.

To properly check your vehicle’s PSI, you will need:

• A quality tire pressure gauge

• The manufacturer’s recommended air pressure for your vehicle’s tires.

Tire Pressure Gauge

Tire gauges come in a variety of styles and can be found at most automotive parts stores. A basic “pencil”-style tire gauge will get the job done, but a digital gauge is more reliable and easier to use.

A high-quality gauge is essential for accurate readings, and it will only cost you $15–$20.

Recommended Air Pressure

The manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure can be found in the owner’s manual and on a sticker on the driver’s side door or door jamb. There may be different pressure requirements for the front and back tires.

DO NOT use the PSI that is printed on the sidewall of your tires. This is not the recommended PSI; it is the maximum inflation pressure. Filling your tire to this pressure is unsafe and could cause a blowout.

Vehicle manufacturers set the recommended pressure when the tires are cold. So, for the most accurate measure of your tire’s PSI, you should check them in the morning before you leave or after the vehicle has been parked for three or more hours.

Measuring Tire Pressure

To measure tire pressure, first park the vehicle and set the emergency brake. Remove the tire valve cap and put it in a safe place, like your pocket. Then, press the tire gauge firmly onto the valve stem and hold it for a couple of seconds until you get a reading.

If you hear any air leaking while holding the tire gauge in position, move the gauge around until it seals and the hissing stops.

With a pencil-style gauge, a thin bar will pop out from the bottom of the gauge. Markings on the bar will show the PSI. A dial gauge will show the PSI on the dial, and a digital gauge will display the PSI on the screen.

You may need to take a reading 2-3 times to get the most accurate result. Write down which tires are below the recommended pressure setting so you know which tires to inflate. And don’t forget to check the spare!

How to Put Air in Your Tires

When you have an underinflated tire, it’s time to find an air pump!

Some people opt to purchase their own air compressor. There are portable options available for as low as $50. However, most people choose to use the air pump at their local gas station.

Inflating Your Tires

1. Park your vehicle where you will be able to easily access all four tires with the air hose. Set the emergency brake.

2. Remove the valve stem caps on your tires and put them in a safe place, like your pocket.

3. Use your tire gauge to check the tire pressure (see above for instructions).

1. If you’re using the gas station air pump, don’t rely on the gauge attached to the air hose as it is likely inaccurate.

2. If your tires are “warm,” (i.e., you’ve driven more than 15 miles or 15 minutes), add 2–4 PSI to the reading to compensate for the higher pressure condition.

4. Turn on the air compressor. If it’s a free air pump, you typically just need to push a button to get it started. For air pumps that require payment, it will start once your payment is accepted.

5. Press the air hose fitting down onto the valve stem. Some air pumps may have a lever/handle that you need to squeeze to get the air flowing. Fill the tire for 10–15 seconds, then check the tire pressure with your gauge. Continue adding air until you reach the recommended pressure.

1. Automatic air pumps will ask you to set the desired PSI beforehand. The machine will automatically fill your tire to the desired PSI and beep once the tire is filled.

6. If you add too much air, release air by pressing the pin inside the valve stem with the air hose nozzle or with the little knob on the back of a pencil tire gauge.

7. Continue with the remaining tires until they are all at the proper pressure, then return the air hose to the compressor. The compressor will automatically shut off.

8. Screw the valve caps back on!

Many Virginia Tire & Auto locations have a free air pump available outside the store. And if there’s not a pump, we will gladly pull your vehicle into a bay to check and inflate your tires for free!

And if you’ve purchased tires from us, you get free nitrogen top-offs for the life of the tire with tires&! Nitrogen helps your tires maintain proper tire pressure longer by not leaking as quickly as regular air. This leads to increased fuel efficiency, longer tire tread life and improved tire performance.