Having the correct air pressure in your car tires is imperative for safety and performance. Excessively underinflated or overinflated tires can be dangerous, leading to a risk of tire failure, poor handling, and reduced fuel efficiency. In this article, we look at everything you need to know about checking tire pressure and how to get it right. We also show you step-by-step instructions on how to take the air out of your tire!
How To Take Air Out Of Tire?
Use A Flat Tire Repair Kit
A flat tire repair kit is a quick and easy way to fix a tire that has a few small holes or tears in it. You can use this as a temporary fix until you get to a repair shop or an auto supply store to buy a tire patch. You can usually find these at your local auto parts store. You simply follow the directions on the box to use the repair kit. In most cases, you simply use the solvent inside the kit to remove any dirt from the inside of the tire. Then you use the plug inside the package to patch up the broken part of the tire. Once you have done that, you just have to add a little air back into the tire.
Use Your Foot Or leg
If you have a small hole in your tire, you can simply use your foot or your leg to take the air out of the tire. This is a good option if you are on the side of the road. Simply use your foot to push the tire down so that the hole is touching the ground or the road itself. Then take a piece of cloth and put it over the hole. Next, take your foot off the tire and put a small piece of wood or something similar under the tire. This is going to keep the cloth pressed down against the hole so that the air cannot escape from it. Once you have done this, you simply have to drive to the nearest auto shop to get your tire fixed.
Use A Coiled Spring
If you have a larger hole in your tire and you cannot use your foot or leg to take the air out, then you can use a coiled spring instead. Simply put a coiled spring on top of the hole and then take a crescent wrench and put it on top of the coiled spring. Now turn the wrench so that the spring pushes down on the hole and takes the air out faster.
Hook Up A Helper Balloon
This is another option that you can use if you have a larger hole in your tire and you cannot use your foot or a coiled spring to take the air out. You can simply buy a helper balloon and use that to take the air out. You can find these at any store that sells car parts. You simply attach the balloon to the tire and it will take the air out of it.
Shake Out The Air While You Drive
If you are on the road and have a flat tire, then you can simply speed up and slow down to shake out the air. You can do this by accelerating for about ten seconds and then slowing down for about five seconds. This will shake out some of the air. This is not the best option, but it is better than nothing.
Why Is Tire Pressure So Important?
Safer Driving
Tire pressure has a direct impact on vehicle handling. If your tires are under-inflated, you’ll most likely notice that your car is more likely to pull to one side as you drive. It’s also worth noting that under-inflated tires are more likely to overheat, which may lead to tire failure. In fact, incorrectly inflated tires are reported as the cause of 50% of all car accidents, according to the U.S Department of Transportation. This is because tire pressure is a contributing factor to your car’s stopping distance, which is an important consideration when driving in all conditions, but especially in adverse weather. The Department of Transportation reports that a 10% drop in tire pressure can increase your stopping distance by as much as 21%. So, not only are under-inflated tires more likely to lead to accidents due to steering issues, they also make it harder to stop if you need to brake suddenly.
Extended Tire Lifespan
Keeping your tires at the correct pressure is also important for extending their lifespan. Over-inflated tires can actually shorten the lifespan of your tires, as the excessive pressure can cause uneven wear that leads to early tread wear. Under-inflated tires, on the other hand, can lead to the formation of cracks and punctures, which could spell the end of your tires far sooner than expected. It’s important to note that, while keeping your tires at their optimal pressure will help them last longer, they will eventually need to be replaced. The lifespan of your tires isn’t affected by the amount of miles you drive, but by the amount of time they’ve been on the road. While the average lifespan of a tire is around 10 years, factors such as driving conditions and tire maintenance can affect this.
Better MPG ratings
This is an aspect of vehicle maintenance that many drivers aren’t aware of. Correct tire pressure is an important part of keeping your fuel consumption rates (aka MPG ratings) low. By keeping your tires at their optimal pressure, you’ll notice that your car uses less fuel, not only because you’re driving more efficiently, but also because you’re carrying less weight. Depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving, a 10% drop in tire pressure can result in a 1% drop in fuel economy, according to the Department of Energy. This means that keeping your tires at the correct pressure can translate to real savings at the pump, especially if you drive a lot.
Environmentally Friendly
Keeping your tires at their optimal pressure is not only safer and cost-saving, it’s also good for the environment, too. Under-inflated tires put a lot more stress on your engine, which results in more emissions at the tailpipe. Correct tire pressure helps keep your engine running efficiently, which ultimately results in lower emissions. Additionally, keeping your tires at their optimal pressure also keeps your brakes running more efficiently, which reduces the amount of brake dust emitted when you’re driving. As such, keeping your tires at the correct pressure is one small change you can make to help the environment.
Cost Savings
Keeping your tires at the correct pressure could help you save up to $80 per tire, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. This is because under-inflated tires lead to accelerated wear on your tires, which translates to more frequent tire replacements and subsequently higher maintenance costs. As such, it’s important to keep an eye on your tire pressure at all times, as changes in weather can impact the pressure in your tires. When you’re driving, it’s also a good idea to periodically check the tire pressure to ensure it hasn’t changed due to fluctuations in weather. Although it might not seem like a major consideration, keeping your tires at their optimal pressure can make a big difference to your driving experience. From a safety point of view, it can help you to avoid accidents and make sure you’re braking in time. It also extends the life of your tires and saves you money in the long run.
When Should You Check Tire Pressure?
- You should check your tire pressure at least once a month. It’s best to do this when you change your oil and rotate your tires.
- You should also check your tire pressure before long journeys.
- Driving with tires that are underinflated can lead to overheating and an increased risk of a blowout.
- Driving with tires that are overinflated can increase fuel consumption and make your car more sluggish to drive.
- If you have just bought new tires, make sure you check the tire pressure before driving far.
- New tires can be underinflated, and this will increase the risk of overheating and blowout.
- It is recommended that you keep your tires at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for up to 10 000 miles.
How To Check Tire Pressure With A Gauge?
You can buy a tire pressure gauge from any auto parts store. Choose one that has a long handle and a large, easy-to-read gauge. The correct tire pressure is listed on the side of each tire’s sidewall. If you don’t see a label there, you can find out the correct pressure with a tire pressure gauge.
- Get the Car in Park, With the Parking Brake Applied.
- Remove the wheel’s valve stem cap.
- Insert the gauge into the valve stem.
- Take a reading from the gauge and make a note of the tire pressure.
- Check all four tires and adjust the pressure accordingly.
How To Check Tire Pressure With A Shifting Sandbag?
This is a great way to check your tire pressure quickly. It’s also a good test to see if your tires are properly inflated.
- Shut off the engine and pop open the trunk.
- Open the wheel well on the wheel you want to check.
- Place the shifting sandbag on the tire, near the wheel well.
- Close the wheel well.
- Take the sandbag off and check the imprint.
- If you see a circle, the tire is underinflated. If you see an X, the tire is overinflated.
Bottom line
A significant number of car accidents are caused by low tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure regularly will help you avoid tire blowouts and the dangers that come with underinflated tires. Remember to check your tire pressure when you change your oil, and before long trips.
