How To Add Air To Your Tires

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HomeHome, Auto, & Hobbies ArticlesAutomotive ArticlesCar Repair & Maintenance ArticlesGeneral Car Repair & Maintenance ArticlesHow to Add Air to Your TiresByDeanna Sclar Updated2021-05-24 21:08:42From the bookAuto Repair For DummiesShare

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If your tires appear to be low, check the pressure and note the amount that they’re underinflated. Then drive to a local gas station and add air. It’s easy, but be sure to bring some change (usually quarters) with you for the air dispenser. (Forget about things being “as free as air” — at many stations it isn’t!)

Follow these steps to add air to your tires:

1. Park your vehicle by the air dispenser.

   You will need to reach all four tires with the air hose.

2. Remove the cap from the tire valve on the first tire.

3. Use your tire gauge to check the air pressure in the tire.

   Air hose gauges at many gas stations are inaccurate.

   

   Checking your tire pressure.

   The pressure will have increased because driving causes the tires to heat up and the air inside them to expand. To avoid overinflating the tire, no matter what the second reading indicates, you should only add the same amount of air that the tire lacked before you drove it to the station.

4. Use the air hose to add air in short bursts.

   Check the pressure after each time with your tire gauge.

   If you add too much air, let some out by pressing the pin on the tire valve with the back of the air hose nozzle or with the little knob on the back of the rounded end of the tire gauge.

5. Keep checking the pressure until you get it right.

   Don’t get discouraged if you have to keep adjusting the air pressure. No one hits it on the head the first time!

About This Article

This article is from the book: 

Auto Repair For Dummies

About the book author:

Deanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including NBC's Today show and the NBCNightly News. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies.

This article can be found in the category: 

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