How to check tire pressures at a fuel station forcourt #tutorial #help #fyp, by TrisFix on YouTube. 1 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Find the correct pressure for your car on the sticker inside the driver's door frame, the fuel flap or in the handbook. Note the figures for front and rear tyres, and for a loaded car if listed.
Drive to a fuel station with an air and water machine. Park close enough that the hose reaches all four tyres without stretching tight.
Check the machine's display for the unit. Most UK forecourts show pressure in bar or psi, so match the unit to your car's figures.
Remove the valve cap from the first tyre and keep it safe in your pocket. Press the hose connector firmly onto the valve so it seats straight.
Read the pressure on the machine's gauge. If it is below the target, hold the trigger or lever to add air, checking the gauge as it climbs.
If the tyre is over the target, press the small bleed button on the connector to release air until the gauge shows the right figure.
Pull the connector off, refit the valve cap and move to the next tyre. Repeat for all four, and check the spare if your car has one.
Do a quick visual check of each tyre for cuts, bulges or objects stuck in the tread. Note any tyre that keeps losing pressure and get it looked at.
Tips and common mistakes
Check pressures when the tyres are cold, so drive less than a couple of miles to the station or check before a long trip.
Press the connector on straight and firmly, or you will hear air hissing out and get a false low reading.
Always refit the valve caps, as dirt in an open valve can cause a slow leak.
Never crawl under a car or work on a jacked vehicle at the forecourt; this job only needs you beside each wheel.
Questions
What pressure should my tyres be?
Use the figures on the sticker in the driver's door frame or in your handbook, not the maximum printed on the tyre sidewall. Front and rear often differ, and there may be higher figures for a fully loaded car.
Do I need to pay for the air machine?
Many fuel stations charge a small fee, often by coin or card, while some are free for customers. Have change ready in case the machine needs it.
Can I check tyres when they are warm?
You can, but warm tyres read higher than cold ones. For accurate figures, check before driving far or add about 0.2 bar (3 psi) to the handbook figure if the tyres are hot.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
