How to put air in a tire and how much? #cars #automobile #air #tires, by Master Tech Lou on YouTube. 6 min 22 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 22 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open the driver's door and find the tyre loading placard, usually on the door jamb. It lists the front and rear pressures in psi or bar.
Check the pressures when the tyres are cold, meaning the car has sat for a few hours or been driven under a mile. Hot tyres read higher.
Unscrew the valve cap from the first tyre and press the gauge firmly onto the valve stem. Read the number on the gauge.
Compare the reading to the placard figure. If it is low, note how many psi you need to add.
Push the air chuck onto the valve and add air in short bursts. Recheck with the gauge after each burst so you do not overshoot.
If you overshoot, press the small pin in the valve centre with the gauge tip to release air until you reach the target.
Refit the valve cap tightly and repeat the check and fill on the other three tyres, using the rear figure for the back wheels.
Reset your car's tyre pressure monitor if it has one, using the button or menu described in the owner's manual.
Tips and common mistakes
Use the door placard as your guide, not the number moulded on the tyre sidewall, which is a maximum.
Expect readings to shift with temperature, so check monthly and before long trips.
Running pressure too high gives a firmer ride and wears the centre tread, while too low wears the edges and hurts fuel economy.
Never work under a car on a jack to reach a valve, and keep your hands clear of traffic when filling at the roadside.
Questions
What pressure should I put in my tyres?
Use the figure on the door jamb placard or in the owner's manual for your car and load. It is a better guide than the maximum printed on the tyre.
Should I check tyres hot or cold?
Check them cold for the accurate figure. After a drive the pressure rises, so a hot reading will look higher than the spec.
How often should I check tyre pressure?
Once a month and before long journeys is a good habit. Slow leaks and temperature changes both affect pressure.
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.
