Tire inflation is one of the easiest tasks that you will ever carry out on your car, and all that you need is a tire gauge. This is a cheap tool that you can find in any auto spares shop. You can check your tire pressure once in a while especially before long road trips. You can store this simple tool in the glove compartment where you can easily access it. If your tire is under-inflated, the tires can heat up and fail. This is dangerous.
If the tires are overinflated, they will ride hard, decreasing traction. The tires will be susceptible to ply breakage. Hence it is essential to have well-inflated tires to add longevity to the tires, giving you better gas mileage. It will also provide a comfortable ride. Here are a few tips on DIY tire inflation that will help beginners. They include:
1. Check tires after they have cooled
It is advisable to inflate your car tires to the recommended pressure in the morning when the car has been sitting when it is cold. This is because, during the day when it is hot, the tires heat up due to friction with the road surface. This will, in turn, increase the tire pressure. If you cannot let the tires cool overnight, you can leave it for three to four hours before inflating it. The maximum tire pressure value of most tires is written on the sidewalls. However, this is not the recommended pressure. Ensure that you check the car’s owner’s manual to know the recommended pressure. It is important to remember to never set tire pressure when the tires are hot.
2. Unscrew the cap on the valve stem
You can keep it in the glove box to make sure it does not get lost. In a swift motion, you will place the tire gauge against the valve stem. This will create a connection that seals completely. Once the dial moves or the stick pops, you can swiftly remove the gauge from the valve stem. You can then read the gauge to determine if the pressure is within recommended limits. At times, you can hear escaping air. All you need to do is stop, reset the gauge and then try again.
3. Using air compressors
Once you determine the pressure of the tire and realize that it is below the recommended rate, you will inflate the tire using a compressor, which is mainly found at a gas station. Most of them provide compressed air for free. If the compressor’s fitting is not attached, all you have to do is ask for it from the employees at the gas station. You can view aircompressors.reviews for a better understanding of how to deal with the compressors. To know that you have correctly inflated your tire, the tire should have a flat tread across the width of the tire that fully contacts the road surface. Checking the spare tire’s pressure is recommendable as it may come in handy.
Ensuring your safety and that of others is very important, and therefore you should check your tire pressure regularly to prevent causing damage to the car.
