How to Check Your Tire Pressure
What you’ll need
Tire pressure gauge (digital or stick type)
Step-by-step guide
Checking your tire pressure is a really important habit to build. It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference to your safety, fuel economy, and how long your tires last.
1. Find out the correct pressure for your tires. Look for a sticker on the inside edge of the driver's door, inside the fuel filler cap, or in your car's manual. The pressure is shown in PSI (pounds per square inch) or bar. There might be different pressures for front and rear tires.
2. Check your tires when they are cold — meaning you have not driven more than a couple of miles. Heat from driving increases the pressure and gives you a false reading.
3. Remove the little dust cap from the tire valve. It is a small cap on the inner rim of each wheel. Keep it safe — you do not want to lose it.
4. Press your tire gauge firmly onto the valve. You should hear a brief hiss of air and then get a reading. If air keeps hissing out, press the gauge on more firmly or at a slightly different angle.
5. Compare the reading to the recommended pressure. If it is too low, you need to add air. If it is too high (less common), you can let a little air out by pressing the small pin inside the valve.
6. Repeat for all four tires, including the spare if you have one.
7. Replace all the dust caps when you are done.
Most petrol stations have an air machine you can use. Some are free, others cost a small amount. Set the machine to the correct pressure and it will beep when the tire is done. Try to check your pressures once a month or before any long journey.
1. Find out the correct pressure for your tires. Look for a sticker on the inside edge of the driver's door, inside the fuel filler cap, or in your car's manual. The pressure is shown in PSI (pounds per square inch) or bar. There might be different pressures for front and rear tires.
2. Check your tires when they are cold — meaning you have not driven more than a couple of miles. Heat from driving increases the pressure and gives you a false reading.
3. Remove the little dust cap from the tire valve. It is a small cap on the inner rim of each wheel. Keep it safe — you do not want to lose it.
4. Press your tire gauge firmly onto the valve. You should hear a brief hiss of air and then get a reading. If air keeps hissing out, press the gauge on more firmly or at a slightly different angle.
5. Compare the reading to the recommended pressure. If it is too low, you need to add air. If it is too high (less common), you can let a little air out by pressing the small pin inside the valve.
6. Repeat for all four tires, including the spare if you have one.
7. Replace all the dust caps when you are done.
Most petrol stations have an air machine you can use. Some are free, others cost a small amount. Set the machine to the correct pressure and it will beep when the tire is done. Try to check your pressures once a month or before any long journey.