How to Properly Check and Fill Your Tires

Making sure that your tires are properly inflated may sound like something your grandfather would tell you to be mindful of, but it is a legitimate reminder. When your tires are under-inflated on the street, they can wear prematurely and unevenly, forcing you to spend hundreds to over a thousand dollars or more. Under-inflated tires will also destroy your wallet at the gas pump, as you will lose valuable miles per gallon. Even over-inflated tires can make your car ride poorly and will also start to wear unevenly. Your tire’s air pressure will ebb and flow with the weather. When it’s cold you will lose air. So, a chilly spring morning will mean your tires may have lower air pressure. Alderman Automotive has a few tips and tricks for you to keep your tires properly filled with air.  

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 

Many modern vehicles have TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, that will give you a tire pressure reading in your instrument cluster as well as alert you when your tires have dipped below a certain psi, or pounds per square inch, which is usually around 20-25 psi. Most cars need their tires to be filled to about 30 to 38 psi. In order to know the correct pressure that your car requires, every manufacturer puts a sticker on the door jamb of the driver’s door that will give you your vehicle’s load capacity along with the recommended tire pressure.  

Buying a Tire Gauge 

If you have a vehicle that does not show tire pressure information, or if you just want to keep an eye on things yourself, you can always buy a good tire gauge. The most common tire gauges are the stick kinds that have little plastic sticks that pop out of the bottom when you have pushed the pressure gauge against the tire stem. Keep in mind that the tip of the gauge is angled, and you don’t need to hold it there long, especially if you hear air coming out when you press the gauge to the stem. As soon as you put it firmly on the stem the stick will fly out, giving you the tire’s psi.  

Some tire pressure gauges have an air hose attached to a dial, and others you screw onto the stem to give a proper reading. Some people find it easier and best to buy a tire inflator that has a digital or analog gauge so that they can check their pressures and then fill the tires with air right there.  

Which is best for you? Well, it’s always good to buy a decent tire inflator for $25 or $35 that can plug into the 12v socket in your car, but it’s also a good idea to buy the old school stick-like gauge that has the plastic reader that pops out of the bottom. You can buy two of those for less than $10 on Amazon. This way you can have multiple if you own more than one car.  

Airing Up Your Tires at a Gas Station 

If you need air in your tires now and don’t have an inflator with you, most gas stations will have either free air or air that will run you 25 cents to use. When using tire inflators from gas stations you need to be careful, though, because sometimes their gauges are either broken or have a tendency to give incorrect psi readings. So, fill your tire with some air and then use your own gauge as it will most likely be more accurate. Also, do not overfill your tires. Overfilling your tires can cause them to explode, which would be horrible if you’re right next to the tire. Granted, most passenger vehicle tires have a max inflation of about 50-60 psi before they’re considered over-inflated.  

Always Know the Right PSI 

Again, check the recommended pressure in the driver door jamb. Keep in mind that as you drive, your tires warm up and gain pressure, which is why most cars show cold psi numbers in the door. If you have been driving your car for more than 10 minutes, then it’s best to inflate your tire about 2-3 psi above the automaker’s cold psi recommendation. This will allow your tire to be at the normal pressure when the tires cool down.  

Call Us or Come on by for Assistance 

If you have any questions at all about your tires or if you think you may need new tires, or even if you just need them filled up properly, feel free to call our service department, or just swing by and let one of our qualified employees take care of you.  

Why Choose Alderman Automotive 

At Alderman Automotive, we work tirelessly to give you the best possible price and service on every used car we sell, and our finance department will work within your monthly payment needs. Whether you are looking for a high-end luxury car or SUV, or if your budget is something under $15,000, we have a whole host of vehicles best suited for your wants and needs. Our state-of-the-art service department and helpful staff will ensure that your vehicle is always in the best condition possible.  

We look forward to serving you soon.