Jack Williams

How to Use a Tire Pressure Gauge

Tire care is essential for the life of your vehicle, and those who ride within it. Yielding better gas mileage and better traction in inclement weather, there is no question that tires can make a real difference in your driving experience.

Checking your vehicle's tire pressure is a simple process that will extend the life of your tires, and ultimately your vehicle. To retain accurate tire pressure between service visits, employ the help of a tire pressure gauge. Coming in very simple and complex designs, from very inexpensive to moderately-priced, tire gauges are the small tool that should be found in every glovebox.

But once you've purchased your gauge, how exactly do you use it?

According to CarsDirect.com, you should:

1. Find out what your tire pressure SHOULD be by consulting a sticker found in your driver's side door jamb, in the glove box or in the trunk (don't simply go by the information on the sidewall of the tire)

2. Unscrew the plastic cap on the air valve (and don't lose it!)

3. Insert the gauge and hold it firmly against the air valve. If you hear hissing, air is escaping and you should apply more pressure

4. Read the results on your gauge (whether a simple pencil gauge of a digital one, the results should be consistent). If air pressure is correct, reattach the air valve cap and you're good to go. If not, refill air to the desired pressure.

Replicate this procedure once a month on all four tires. It's a good idea to buy your own gauge since the one at your local gas station may not be properly calibrated, or missing altogether… and you never know when that "check tire pressure" light will make an appearance.