How to Check Your Tire Pressure

Your tires are in constant contact with the road, so it’s important that they have the right PSI to do their job. Over time, you might lose air, so it’s important that you routinely check your tire pressure. While you’re doing this, you’ll want to keep an eye out for other problems like balding or leaks. If you ever need new tires, we can help you find a set that suits your specific needs at Toyota of Poway.

Identifying the Right Tire Pressure

If you were never taught how to check your tire pressure, then you may be a bit nervous. This isn’t like your oil or your battery, so you won’t have to worry about popping your hood or getting dirty. If your tires happen to be in rough shape, and you’re near Oceanside, Poway, or Escondido, you can always replace them at Toyota of Poway.

• Your Vehicle Knows What’s Best: Manufacturers know that you’ll eventually need to refill your tires with air. This is why if you look on your driver’s side door, you should find a recommended PSI. This will be specific to your model, so you’ll want to make sure that the tires match the recommendation.

Checking Your Tires

Now that you know what your tire pressure should be, you’ll want to see where you’re at right now. There are a couple ways to do this, but the easiest is to:

• Use Your Vehicle’s Systems: Depending on how new your vehicle is, you might be able to check your tire pressure through your touchscreen. Not every model offers this, but it’s an easy way to keep track of them as you’ll have a constant monitor on their pressure.
• Use a Gauge: You can buy a pressure gauge at nearly any auto store, but you certainly don’t have to. Most gas stations will have an air pump with a gauge on it. To use it, you’ll want to remove the cap and place the gauge against the valve. You shouldn’t be alarmed if you hear a slight hiss, as this is normal. From there, you should be able to get a reading of your tire pressure. If you’re using the air pump, then you’ll want to refill them until they match the recommendation on your door.

Unique Issues to Look For

It’s not every day that you check your tires. Most people will walk right past them as they hop in the driver’s seat. When you check your tire pressure though, you’ll have the unique opportunity to check for other signs of wear.

• Balding Tires: If you don’t have a lot of tread left, then it might be time to replace your tires. If you don’t, you’ll find that your car is significantly harder to handle on the road, and it can even be dangerous.
• Look for Nails and Other Objects: Your tire might have rapidly deflated. If this is your issue, then there’s a good chance that you rolled over something sharp and punctured it. You’ll want to carefully examine the tire so that you can find the source of the leak. From there, you can tack on your spare and visit us at Toyota of Poway, so that we can fix the issue.

If your tires need any type of service, you can schedule an appointment at Toyota of Poway.