How to Check Tire Pressure

Premier Nissan of San Jose wants all your travels to be safe. We know how much you have riding on your tires, and we want to help. Checking your tire pressure is a simple yet especially important task to extend the life of your tires.

If your tires are underinflated or overinflated, you can have uneven tread wear that can damage your tires or even cause them to fail. A properly Inflated tire gives you a smooth ride, improves the life of your tires, improves steering response times, and improves your fuel efficiency.

Steps to Check Air Pressure

The best way to ensure you are getting the most out of your tires is to check their pressure monthly. To do this you will need a digital or manual tire gauge, an air compressor, and pen and paper. Most gas stations have an air compressor that you can use for a dollar or less and some offer free air. There are also air compressors that operate from your own vehicle’s 12-volt battery or your home’s electrical outlet. Once you have your materials you are ready to begin.

• Step 1: Start with cold tires if possible. This means your vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or that you have driven it less than a mile at a moderate speed. If your tires are not cold, don’t worry. You can overinflate your tires up to 4 pounds per square inch (psi) over the recommended amount under these circumstances.
• Step 2: Check the recommended psi for your tires. This information can be found in your car’s manual or on the door jamb on the driver’s side. If you do not locate this information, you will need to contact the manufacturer or the dealership you purchased your vehicle from or ask a certified tire professional like the ones here at Premier Nissan of San Jose.
• Step 3: Write down the recommended psi from the information. Some vehicles have different psi levels for the front and rear tires. Writing the numbers down helps reduce confusion as you walk around the vehicle.
• Step 4: Take the valve cap off your tire and place the tire gauge over the valve, press down firmly until the hissing sound stops. In a manual gauge, the pressure forces a bar out the bottom of your gauge that has a graduated scale to show you the psi level of your tire. If you need to add air, place the compressor hose end over the stem and fill for 10 - 60 seconds at a time, depending on how low your tire is. After each interval, check the pressure again with your gauge, adding additional air if needed. If your tire pressure is too high, you can release some of the air from the tire by pressing the nub that is usually found on the back of the gauge down on the valve in 5-10 second bursts. Recheck pressure after each burst to ensure that your tires are inflated to the proper levels.
• Step 5: Repeat procedure with every tire as needed.

Premier Nissan of San Jose is here to help you. If you have concerns about your tires, come on by and have our certified technicians look at them and advise you on how to get the most out of your tires. We will check your pressure. If you need new tires, they will help you get a good deal on a new set of tires that fit your budget. Come on by Premier Nissan of San Jose and let us help you get back on the road.