Checking Tire Pressure
Tire manufacturers will suggest a certain pressure for your tires to be filled to. Optimal pressure should be maintained in order to keep your tire from leaking due to overfill or damage due to low pressure. Checking the pressure on your tires is a quick and simple procedure that will help maintain the life of your tires.
By following these simple steps you can easily check and maintain the pressure in your tires to ensure that they are filled to the optimal PSI, or pounds per square inch. This simple maintenance will help to increase the longevity and overall performance of your tires.
- Remove the valve cap that is on each tire. These are easily located, and will simply twist off in a counter-clockwise motion. Place the cap somewhere safe so that it is not lost or misplaced while you are checking your tire pressure.
- Press down firmly with the tire gauge onto the stem of the air valve, pushing downward to assure a good connection between the tire gauge and the air valve. You should not hear air escaping during this process, if you do remove the tire gauge and reposition so that no air is being allowed to escape.
- Note the PSI that is registered on the tire gauge.
- Locate the PSI that is recommended for your tires. This will be printed directly on the tire in small print; it will be on the inner part of the tire; usually on the side wall. You may want to wipe your tires down prior to looking for this information.
- Replace your valve caps that you removed to check the pressure. You will want to ensure that you retighten these well so that they do not fall off. A missing air valve cap can cause you to slowly leak air and cause a slow leak in your tire.