The recommended tire pressure settings are usually within the range of 26-36 psi. Your front and rear tires may have different psi requirements. If you’re worried about forgetting the pressure requirements for your tires, jot them down on a piece of paper or make a note in your phone. Pressure is listed in psi, which stands for pound-force per square inch.
Maximum tire pressure is usually 44-51 psi. There may be a different maximum pressure for front and rear tires, so check both of them. Write this number down alongside the recommended setting if you don’t want to forget. The number on your tire is the maximum amount of pressure that your tire can contain. The number in the vehicle is the recommended setting for optimum gas mileage and minimal wear and tear.
If you live in Connecticut or California, the pressure gauge and air compressor are free to use. While it usually costs $0. 25-1. 50 everywhere else, some stations will voluntarily offer free air and pressure gauges. You can search for a free pump near you by looking online at https://www. freeairpump. com/. If the air compressor has a small metal cylinder attached to the top of the handle, that’s the pressure gauge. Some smaller gas stations may not have an air compressor or pressure gauge. If there’s a mechanic attached to the gas station, you can ask them if they’d be willing to check your pressure. They may try to charge you, but many employees will gladly perform the simple check for free.
It’s a good idea to have a pressure gauge anyway. If you ever have a light pop up on your dashboard that your pressure is low, you can stop the vehicle and check your tires regardless of where you are. These handheld pressure gauges typically cost $5. 00-15. 00.
Do this in a location where you’ll be able to easily reach all of your tires with the hose if you’re using the gas station’s gauge.
If you’re using the gas station’s pressure gauge and it costs money to turn it on, insert the necessary coins or your credit card before inserting your gauge.
The older gauges on air compressors will not read your pressure if you’re pulling the handle to send air out. Don’t squeeze the handle while taking your pressure reading. Your reading will be inaccurate if you’ve been driving for a long time before you take the pressure reading. If it is freezing out, your tire pressure will be functionally lower than your reading, usually by 1 psi for every 10 °F (−12 °C) under freezing. So if your car reads at 40 psi and it’s 22 °F (−6 °C) out, your tire pressure is actually 39 psi.
If you’re using the gauge on an air compressor and the pressure in your tires is low, pull the trigger on the handle to add air to your tire. Then, check the gauge again by reading the tube that pops up. Continue adding pressure until your tire’s pressure matches the recommended level as stated by your manufacturer.
If you only have cash, go inside and ask the clerk for some change. The price for using an air compressor is usually $0. 25-1. 50. Some gas stations will offer free air, though.
The rate at which air fills your tires is dependent upon the power of the air compressor. This is largely a trial and error process. Often, it will add 1 psi every 2-3 seconds. Usually, gas station air compressors will run for 5 minutes before you need to insert more money.
There are digital air compressors where you can set your desired psi on the digital screen. A portable air compressor will cost $50-300. Cheaper air compressors are often too weak to efficiently fill a car’s tire, though. This is a great tool to have if you regularly drive in a city or rural area where tires are more likely to go flat.
As long as you’re within 2-3 psi of the recommended psi settings, your tires are perfectly safe to use. If the pressure is more than 5 psi underneath the recommended setting, you need to refill the tire soon. A little high is better than a little low. The air inside of your tires naturally escapes over time, even if they’re properly sealed, so don’t worry if you’re a few psi over the recommended number.
