How to check and inflate tyre pressure
Checking tyre pressure is essential for road safety, driver performance, and fuel efficiency.
If it’s too high, you run the risk of excessive wear, poor vehicle handling, and low suspension. Too low, and you’ll likely experience punctures, poor fuel efficiency, and increased rolling resistance. Either way, it’s dangerous. So, knowing how to check and inflate your tyres is critical to your day-to-day driving. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to check your tyre pressure
You can use the gauge provided at a petrol station to check tyre pressures. Usually, you’ll see a machine for air and water with the gauge attached. Otherwise, you can buy an LED tyre pressure gauge.
Next, you should check the recommended tyre pressure measurement for your vehicle (usually measured in PSI or bar). This is typically found in your vehicle handbook, on the dashboard (for newer vehicles), inside the fuel cap, or on the driver’s door. Try the glove box or passenger door side to find the vehicle handbook.
Then, with the gauge and pressure measurement ready, follow these steps to check your pressure:
- Before you start, make sure the tyres are cold. If they’re too warm, you may get inaccurate pressure readings.
- Remove the valve caps on each wheel.
- Insert the gauge onto the valve and push until the hissing sound stops.
- Check the PSI reading and compare it to the recommended PSI for your vehicle.
- Determine whether you need to increase or decrease the air in your tyres and follow the steps below.
- Repeat the process for all wheels.
How to inflate your tyre pressure
If the pressure is too low, follow these steps to inflate the tyres:
- Attach the hose fitting to the valve using the tyre pressure gauge and press the lever. Or, if the hose has a screw fitting, screw until tight, so no air escapes.
- Turn the inflator on—you should hear air flowing through the hose.
- The tyre pressure gauge will stop once it’s reached the correct PSI. If not, keep an eye on the reading so you can control it manually.
- Don’t forget to put the valve cap back on. You can then move on to inflating another tyre if needed.
How to release air from tyres
Your tyres may be overinflated if you’ve been carrying excessive weight, such as baggage or towing a caravan. Or you may have simply inflated them too high by mistake. Overinflated tyres are dangerous and can harm your vehicle's performance. So, if the tyre pressure exceeds the recommended PSI, you must deflate them by following these steps:
- To release air, use the digital gauge again. If you’re at a petrol station, be sure to use the correct hose. Typically, there’s a hose for inflating tyres and a hose for releasing air. For manual air inflators, you should also have a separate pin specifically for deflating tyres. If not, you may need to order one online to attach it to your device.
- Set the gauge to the recommended PSI, then connect it to the valve.
- Press down long enough to release air and wait for the machine to beep to tell you when it reaches the correct PSI.
- Remember to reattach the valve when complete, or you may lose more air than intended.
FAQs
Where can I check my tyre pressure?
You can check tyre pressure anywhere with a portable inflator and pressure gauge. Otherwise, you’ll need to visit a petrol station and use the dedicated machine. Of course, you can also book a free tyre check at your local Halfords garage, and we’ll check your tyre pressure for free.
When should your tyre pressure be checked?
You shouldn’t wait for your tyre warning light before checking your air pressure. If you’re proactive, you’ll likely stop issues like punctures before they occur. And you’ll also maximise the life of your tyres, saving you further costs down the line.
It’s good practice to check tyre pressure every few weeks. In addition, you should check tyre pressure before and after a long drive, as well as after any sudden temperature changes. In particular, cold weather can cause tyre pressure to drop.
When should I inflate my tyres?
It’s crucial to inflate tyres at the right time. Ideally, tyres should be cold because warm tyres can give an incorrect PSI reading. Plus, handling tyres when hot is not a good idea as you may cause an injury. If you’ve been driving continuously for an hour or so, wait at least two hours for the tyres to cool down.
What is the correct tyre pressure?
There’s no one size fits all approach for tyre pressure. It varies by vehicle, so you’ll need to check the handbook to find the recommended PSI. It might also be on the inside of the driver’s door or fuel cap, or digitally on the dashboard. For newer cars, it may tell you the current PSI of each tyre and what they need to be.
Is high tyre pressure dangerous?
Yes, high tyre pressure can be unsafe. It’s tempting to put extra air in your tyres to make them last longer, but it has the opposite effect. Too much air increases the risk of blowouts, excessive and uneven tyre wear, and poor vehicle handling.
Is low tyre pressure dangerous?
Low tyre pressure is a safety hazard for you and other drivers. Underinflated tyres drastically increase the risk of punctures, which can lead to road accidents. Tyres with low air also impact braking performance, fuel consumption, and tyre wear, all of which can lead to decreased tyre life.
Should I inflate my tyres if carrying extra weight?
Usually, yes, your tyres may need additional pressure with extra weight, such as towing a caravan or trailer. Most vehicles have two recommended tyre pressures—one for regular driving and one for driving with additional loads. You can increase the PSI to this level to help power your vehicle with extra weight. However, after removing the load, you should immediately return the air pressure to normal.
How do I reset the TPMS warning light?
Once you’ve returned the tyres to the correct PSI, the TPMS warning light should go off on its own. If it doesn’t, refer to the vehicle handbook to guide you.
Can Halfords check my TPMS?
Yes, Halfords will check your TPMS as part of your MOT or service. If you think your TPMS may be faulty, just book your vehicle in, and our technicians will check it thoroughly.
Same day tyre fitting
Did you know that we now offer same-day tyre fitting service across our garages nationwide? Simply book online before 1 pm and we can replace your tyres the same day to help you get back on the road safely and swiftly. Please note that availability varies by location. For more information, please head on over to our dedicated same day tyre fitting page where you can find answers to frequently asked questions, choose the right tyres for your vehicle and book your appointment.