To put air in a tire, follow these steps:
- Find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. This information is usually on a sticker inside the driver's door, on the fuel filler flap, or in the owner's manual. Do not rely on the tire sidewall for this information
- Remove the valve cap from the tire's valve stem. This is a small screw-on cap that keeps dirt out of the valve
- Check the current tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge. Press the gauge firmly onto the valve stem; if it's a manual gauge, a small stick will pop out showing the PSI. For digital gauges, the reading will appear on a display
- Attach the air compressor hose or pump nozzle to the valve stem. Make sure it is firmly connected to avoid air escaping
- Add air in short bursts , inflating the tire while periodically checking the pressure to avoid overfilling. If the pressure goes above the recommended level, release some air by pressing the small pin inside the valve stem
- Once the tire reaches the recommended PSI , remove the air hose and quickly replace the valve cap to keep dirt out and maintain pressure
- Repeat for all tires and check the spare tire if you have one
Additional tips:
- Inflate tires when they are cold (car hasn't been driven for at least 2 hours or has been driven less than 2 miles at low speed) for an accurate reading
- Many gas stations have air compressors with digital settings where you can set the desired PSI, and the machine will stop automatically when the tire is inflated properly
- Keep a baby wipe handy to clean any black grime from the valve after inflating
This process can be done at home with a portable compressor or at a gas station with an air pump
