How to add air to tires

It's easy to take tire pressure for granted. After all, as long as you get to where you want to go without an apartment or other problems, you might think there's no reason to over-analyze how you got there. Is not…

It's easy to take tire pressure for granted. After all, as long as you get where you need to go without an apartment or other problems, you might think there's no reason to over-analyze how you got there. However, this does not mean that the air in the tires is not important. Lack of air in tires has many consequences, such as fuel consumption, handling becomes more erratic, and your tires actually heat up, resulting in faster tread wear. 

Here is the correct way to add air to take advantage of properly inflated tires:

• Determine the required tire pressure. Check the imprint on the side of the tire being tested. The number is followed by psi (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilo Pascals). If you live in the US, pay attention to the number in pounds per square inch. However, those who live in countries that use the metric system usually note the number in kPa. When in doubt, simply compare the unit of measurement on the tire gauge. In the unlikely event that this information is not printed on your tire, look for a sticker with this information on the inside of the driver's door frame or refer to your owner's manual.

• Remove the cap from the tire valve stem. Unscrew the cap on the bar stem by turning it counterclockwise until it pops off. Place the cap in a place where you can easily find it, but not on the ground because it can easily roll off and get lost.

• Press the notched part of the pressure gauge against the stem. Don't be surprised if some air comes out when you adjust the gauge so it fits snugly on the stem; it will stop as soon as it is in place. 

• Read the pressure gauge to find out how much pressure is inside your tire. On a standard gauge, a stick will pop out of the bottom and the number it stops at indicates the current pressure in your tire. Digital gauges will display the number on the LED screen or other display. Subtract this number from your desired tire pressure to determine how much air to add. 

• Add air until you reach the desired tire pressure. Most gas stations with air cars require you to deposit coins, but you might get lucky and find a place that offers free air. In any case, once the air machine is running, place the nozzle on your tire's valve stem as you did with the tire pressure gauge. After air is applied, check the pressure with a pressure gauge and repeat as necessary until the correct pressure is reached (within 5 psi or kPa). If you accidentally overfill a tire, simply press the pressure gauge slightly off-center on the valve stem to let the air out, then check the pressure again. 

• Replace cap on valve stem. The cap should easily return to its place on the stem by turning it clockwise. Don't worry about replacing the same cap on the tire stem that it originally came from; caps are compatible with all rods.

• Check the other three tires by following the steps above. Even if only one of your tires appears to be flat, you should use this opportunity to make sure all of your tires are properly inflated at this time. 

As a general rule, you should check tires monthly. This is because air can escape slowly even with a cap on the valve stem, and low tire pressure can be dangerous if left unchecked. 

FunctionsA: Your pressure reading will be most accurate when your tires are cool, so perform maintenance checks when your vehicle has been sitting for a while (such as before leaving for work in the morning) or after you've driven no more than a mile or two to an air station.