A really stupid tyre question from a new driver

[saintjohnny]

How exactly do I know how much air to put in my tyres? I did a long trip north at the weekend but when i went to the Shell station and used the air hose, i had no idea how much i was supposed to put in, nor how to read the incomprehensible gauge on the hose itself. Help!

[NORMANTHEDOG]

at most garages there is a chart that tells you how much air is needed for your car,if not have a look in your hand book that should tell you,also check them every month,it will save wear and tear and they will last longer

[netibiza]

Yes NORMANTHEDOG is correct. I have been driving for 15yrs and still can't pump up my tyres.

[Electrochem]

The correct tyre pressures for any car is an important part of safety. I know people who never check their tyre pressures and then wonder why the tyres wear out so quickly.

Have a look in your handbook and check for the information in there. Failing that, there are a number of websites which will tell you or a call to the local dealership should help. It is worth noting that most cars have different pressures for when they are fully loaded and when the are just carrying the driver.

It is also worth noting that you should check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. The pressure gauges in petrol stations are notoriously inaccurate. Invest in a good tyre pressure gauge and check your tyres regularly. They will reward you by lasting longer and giving better mpg. You can also get self indicating valve caps which show you when there has been a drop in pressure.

I was taught the following things to check on a car, particularly before a long journey:

POWER - petrol or other fuel, oil, water, electrics and rubber (tyres that is)!

Hope this helps.

[Jude123]

I take my car to Kwik Fit and ask them to check the pressure. No problem!! (I usually give them a couple of quid)!

[ugly_bob]

There's usually a chart on the inside of the driver's door frame (soetimes on passenger side) that tells you the correct pressure.

Reading the gauge is something I can't help you with - there's a lot of guesswork involved in that. You could try and find an automatic one. My local Sainsbury's has a pump that you set the pressure on, then just attach to the tyre and press the trigger. When the correct pressure is reached, it beeps at you.

[Toureman]

1. Never do a long trip without checking your tyres first! always check when cold, (tyres get warm and show false readings)

2. Follow Electrochem's good advice.

3. Only use garage airlines to inflate your tyres, never trust the gauge, I have experienced them being up to 25 lbs wrong!

4. Buy a quality gauge and check yourselfe before and after inflaing.

5. Gauges read in pounds per square inch and Bar, make sure you know which.

6. 30 pounds per square inch is approx 2 Bar, don't mix them up!

7. Don't fit self indicating valve caps, some scrote will pinch them!

[Clanad]

All the information given here is accurate and excellent. I would only add that if you're caught in a situation that you think your tire (tyre?) pressure may be low and you don't know for sure what it should be, you'll find the average pressure for almost all passenger car tires is 30 lbs. per square inch. This will get you to a garage or some other source to get the exact service requirement...

[ianess]

Click here then go to the bottom right hand corner of the page that opens up and take it from there.