How to - Checking Tyre Pressures // Supercheap Auto, by Supercheap Auto on YouTube. 2 min 6 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 6 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on flat ground and let the car sit for at least three hours, or drive less than 2 km, so the tyres are cold.
Find the tyre pressure placard in the driver's side door jamb, glovebox, fuel filler door or under the bonnet. Note the front and rear pressures in psi or bar.
Unscrew the valve cap from the first tyre and keep it somewhere safe so it does not get lost.
Press the gauge firmly onto the valve stem and hold it straight. Read the number on the gauge and write it down.
Compare the reading with the placard figure. If it is low, add air in short bursts and recheck after each burst.
If the tyre is over the target, press the gauge or valve centre to release a little air, then recheck.
Refit the valve cap and repeat the check on the other three tyres, plus the spare if your car has one.
Look over each tyre for cracks, bulges, nails or uneven wear while you are down there.
Tips and common mistakes
Always check when tyres are cold, because heat from driving raises the reading and can hide an under-inflated tyre.
Check pressures at least once a month and before long trips, since tyres slowly lose air over time.
Do not forget the spare tyre, which often sits unchecked for years.
Replace a missing valve cap, as dirt in the valve can cause a slow leak.
Questions
Where do I find the correct pressure for my car?
Look on the tyre placard inside the driver's side door jamb, in the glovebox, inside the fuel filler door or under the bonnet. It lists pressures for normal and fully loaded driving.
What if my tyres are already warm?
The reading will be higher than the true cold pressure. Check again when the car has sat for a few hours, or add about 4 psi to the placard figure as a rough guide.
How often should I check tyre pressure?
Once a month is a good habit, and always before a long road trip. Under-inflated tyres wear at the edges and use more fuel.
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.
