Auto Tire Air Pressure

How to check the air pressure in your tires

Maintaining the correct recommended pressure in your tires is not only important for safety reasons, it can also help you get more miles out of your tires. Underinflated tires wear prematurely. You also will not go as far on a tank of gas because of the increased tire resistance. Making sure your tire pressure isn't too low or too high can improve your gas mileage by approximately three percent.

To determine how much air your tires need, see your owner's guide or placard, which is often located in the glove compartment, the driver's doorjamb or the inside fuel cap door on 2002 and newer model-year vehicles. Don't try to "eyeball" your tire pressure. They can appear fully inflated even though they are not at the recommended inflation levels.

We suggest using the pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) recommendation in your owner's guide instead of the numbers outlined on the tire sidewalls since these apply to maximum pressure for that tire.

You should check your tire pressure once every month. It's simple to do. First, make sure the tires are cold and were not just driven. If you don't have a tire gauge, you will need one. Unscrew the valve cap on the tire and press the gauge into the valve stem. Read the number on the gauge, compare it to the recommended level and add air if needed. And check the pressure on your spare tire as well since your spare should have air too.

If you are uncertain about whether it is time to replace your tires, the factory-trained auto service technicians at your local Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center can tell you if you need new tires.