Updated on Jan. 30, 2025
Learning how to check tire pressure is easy and inexpensive. Make it a part of your monthly maintenance routine in a matter of minutes.
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The driver’s side door jamb typically has a sticker with the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) for the tires. Most manufacturers recommend 30 to 32 PSI for all four tires, although some cars will have different PSI recommendations for the front tires and back tires. If you don’t see the recommended PSI on your door jamb, check your owner’s manual. A common mistake is to use the max PSI listed on the tire sidewall, instead of the one recommended by your auto manufacturer.
Unscrew the cap on the tire air valve and place it somewhere safe, where it won’t get dirt or debris in it.
Press the gauge onto the tire air valve straight on, and press it hard. This creates a tight seal around the tire air valve so you don’t accidentally release air from the tire. You’ll hear a hissing sound if air is coming out. A small bar with numbered notches will pop out of the pencil gauge with the tire pressure reading.
Fill up the tire by pressing the air compressor nozzle onto the tire air valve in the same manner as the gauge — hard and straight-on to create a tight seal. Hold the nozzle onto the tire air valve for about 30 seconds to one minute, depending on how low the initial reading is. Check the tire pressure again, then add or release air as needed to reach the recommended PSI.
For each of your remaining tires, check the tire pressure and inflate or deflate them as needed to reach the ideal tire pressure.
When a tire is deflated, more rubber from that tire makes contact with the road. That causes greater friction, which leads to overheating, faster tire wear and the danger of blowouts. Under-inflated tires are also less responsive.
“You may notice that your turns aren’t as smooth, your braking is less efficient and your control of the vehicle is altogether less reliable than usual,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “Any issue like this that compromises your stability and response time or prolongs your stopping distance needs urgent attention, as each of these things is essential to driving safely.”
Too low of tire pressure also reduces your gas mileage and puts greater pressure on other parts of your car, such as the brake pads, rotors and wheels.
If you don’t have a gauge handy but suspect there may be something awry with your tire pressure:
“Beyond that, a gauge is a must, and the tire can only be adjusted accurately when the tire is cold,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an auto expert with JustAnswer.com. “Yes, you read that right. Each time you get an oil change where they adjust your pressure, it is not being set correctly because the tire and air inside it are still hot.”
