How to Inflate Car Tyres
Keeping the tyres on your car is an essential part of vehicle maintenance. Not only is it important for safety, but it also plays a big factor in the fuel efficiency of a tyre. Luckily, checking and dealing with tyre pressure is a relatively simple process.
Step 1
An underinflated tyres results in uneven wear and poor handling. If your vehicle feels like it is pulling to the side when you are driving it might indicate that your tyres need more air.To find out if the air pressure of the tyre is too low, you need a pressure gauge. There are digital, dial, and stick types. Any of these can accurately measure tyre pressure. If you not have one at home, most petrol stations have air pressure machines which will help to test your tyre's pressure.
Step 2
To add more air into your tyre you will need to use a pump or compressor. These normally come in the form of a foot pump, electric pump, or you can visit a local petrol station to use their machine. Find the valve stem on the tyre - typically located on the inner side of the tyre. Unscrew the cap on top of the stem and keep it in a safe place to avoid losing it.
Step 3
Take the end of the tyre pump hose and firmly place it onto the valve stem. Ensure its properly seated by screwing the two together. This will help to prevent air from escaping when you are blowing up the tyre. Most pumps come with a built-in gauge. If yours doesn't, remove the pump and quickly check the pressure with your separate gauge.
Step 4
This information on what the correct tyre pressure should be is usually found in the owner's handbook or on a sticker inside the driver's door. To add the right amount of air to meet this pressure level add air in short increments, checking the pressure regularly. Avoid overinflation.
Step 5
Once the gauge shows the recommended pressure, remove the pump and quickly place your gauge on the valve to double-check. All you need to do now is replace the valve caps. These are small but important - as they protect the valve from dust and moisture. So make sure you screw it back on securely.
Inflating your tyres is a quick and easy task that plays a crucial role in your vehicle’s health and your safety on the road. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tyre pressure will ensure optimal performance and longevity of your tyres.
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Inflate Tyres
How to inflate tyres at a petrol station?Adding air to your tyres at a petrol station is very similar to doing it at home. The main difference is the equipment that you use. The machine at a petrol station is normally more sophisticated than a home air compressor. It will cost you money to use the machine, but it takes any guesswork out. You simply enter the desired air pressure you require in the measurement system you prefer. Then when you attach the hose to your valves, the machine will take a reading of your tyre’s pressure. If it is too low, then the machine will add air until the reading is correct. Once the tyre pressure is at the level you entered the machine, it will stop adding air.
You will find that most petrol stations in the UK have an air pump. They are normally located to the side of the petrol station store, next to the vacuum. If it is a independent petrol station or a small petrol station this service may be missing. If you are unsure if a petrol station has an air pump for customers to use, simply go inside the store and ask the person on duty. All petrol station pumps require payment to use. This is usually around 50p.
The amount of air pressure will depend on your vehicle make and model. To find the recommended tyre pressure from the manufacturer of your vehicle, there are a couple of places you can check. First have a look in your vehicle handbook. There is normally a section in there on the subject of tyres and tyre maintenance. If you do not have the handbook or cannot find a section on tyre pressure, there is normally a label on the door jamb of your car. This is a small rectangular label that gives you the recommended tyre pressure for your back and front tyres. As well as the level required if the car is laden or unladen.
It is rare for a car to require the same tyre pressure for the front and the back tyres. You will usually find that they require a slight difference depending on the drive type or the performance characteristics of your car. Check your handbook or the tyre pressure label on your door jamb to find out what the correct tyre pressure is for your front and rear tyres.
