Tire Pressure: How to Check It and Why It Matters

 Tire pressure is one of the simplest things to check and one of the most often forgotten. The correct pressure helps your car grip the road, use less fuel and wear its tires evenly. Wrong pressure does the opposite, and it can be dangerous.

Check the pressure of all four tires, and the spare.
Photo by Obi on Unsplash

Find the right pressure for your car

Do not use the number printed on the tire's side wall. That is the maximum the tire can take, not the pressure your car needs. Look for the sticker on the door frame, inside the fuel flap or in your owner's manual. It may show different values for a normal load and for a full load.

How to check it, step by step

1. Check when the tires are cold. That means before you drive, or after a very short trip. Warm tires give a higher reading.
2. Remove the valve cap and keep it in a safe place.
3. Press the gauge firmly onto the valve and read the pressure.
4. Add air or release some until you reach the correct value.
5. Put the cap back and repeat for all four tires.
6. Do not forget the spare wheel.

Check the tread and the condition

• Look for wear indicators in the grooves. When the tread is level with them, the tire is worn out.
• Look for cracks, bulges, cuts or objects stuck in the rubber.
• Uneven wear (more on one edge) often points to a problem with alignment, suspension or pressure.

The legal minimum tread depth is different in each country, so check your local rules.

Good to know

• Pressure drops when the weather gets cold, so check more often in winter.
• If a tire pressure warning light comes on, do not ignore it. Check all four tires as soon as it is safe.
• Check once a month and before every long trip.

Safety note

Never over-inflate a tire above the maximum shown on its side wall. If a tire has a bulge or a deep cut, replace it and do not drive on it.

Golden tip: Keep a small, good-quality pressure gauge in the glove box. Gauges at service stations are sometimes inaccurate.

How often do you check your tires? Tell us in the comments.

This article is for general information only. Cars differ, so always follow your owner's manual and ask a qualified mechanic if you are unsure.