The key to safe driving starts with owning and operating reliable cars. One of the most important aspects of your vehicle is its tire pressure. So why is maintaining good tire pressure important? And how do you check your tire pressure in the first place? Stick around to learn more!
How do I know my tire pressure?
There are a couple of ways you can find the recommended tire pressure for your car. The first place is your driver's door. There should be a sticker that states the recommended psi, which stands for pounds per square inch. If you aren't able to locate a sticker, or it's worn out, the next place you can look is your owner's manual. Now, there are a couple of ways that you can quickly check your tire pressure in a few minutes. Here's what you need to do:
Find the recommended pressure
Again, the first thing you need to do is find the tire pressure recommended for your specific vehicle.
Write down the correct tire pressure for your front and rear tires
Once you've located your vehicle's recommended tire pressure in your owner's manual, take note of it by writing it down or typing it into your notes app on your phone.
Check your tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge
Next, you'll want to find an air pressure gauge. To use the tire pressure gauge, you'll first need to take off the cap from all four tires before fitting the tire pressure gauge on top of your valve stem until you hear air coming out of the air valve.
A digital gauge will show you a reading on a screen. However, if you have a standard tire gauge, a little line will inflate up to a specific reading that is listed on the side of the tire gauge itself. Write down the tire pressure of your four tires listed on each tire gauge.
Fill your tires with an air compressor
Now it's time to fill your car's tires. Most gas stations have air compressors and free air. Using the air compressor nozzle, push air into your tire's valve stem until you reach the recommended tire pressure. Once you've reached the correct PSI, remove the compressor nozzle and put the valve cap back on, making sure that there is no air escaping.
Check your tire pressure on a monthly basis
Generally speaking, you'll want to check the air pressure of your tires every month to experience optimal benefits.
How to check tire pressure at gas stations in Canada?
As we briefly mentioned, service stations in Canada offer free tire airfills. Pull up to the compressor station and put your vehicle in park before turning off the engine. Then, remove your valve cap and place the air nozzle onto the valve stem. Fill your tires to your proper tire pressure before removing the nozzle and installing the cap back into place.
What psi should my front and rear tires be?
The recommended PSI for your front and rear tires will vary between vehicles. Recommended pressures can be found on your car door or your owner's manual.
How do you check tire pressure with your hands?
If you want to check tire pressure using your hand, press down on your tire. If you have low-pressure tires, the tire itself should feel squishy. On the other hand, if you have too much air in your tires, the tires will feel stiff.
Protect your vehicle with high-quality car insurance
To ensure your vehicle is protected at all times, regardless of whether you're on the road or parked at your destination, having the right car insurance can make all the difference in the event you're involved in a car accident with another vehicle or object. Here are some insurance policies the experienced brokers from BrokerLink can help you with:
How should I maintain my car throughout the year?
Maintaining your car periodically throughout the year is essential and plays a major role in how long cars last in Canada. To help you stay on top of recommended maintenance tasks, check out BrokerLink's car guides below:
Have specific questions regarding your vehicle? Give BrokerLink a call!
Get an insurance quote from BrokerLink today!
At BrokerLink, we believe that car insurance should be affordable for all Canadians. If you're up for renewal, our experienced brokers can help you tailor your policies to meet your needs and budget.
With locations across Canada, we're likely in your neighbourhood! Visit us in person to work with a broker one-on-one. You can also speak with us over the phone. Alternatively, get a free insurance quote using our online quote tool from the convenience of your mobile device!
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FAQs about checking tire pressure
Why is my tire pressure important?
Maintaining your tire pressure is key to better fuel economy, better traction, and an overall smoother ride behind the wheel.
How often should I check the air pressure of my tires?
We recommend that you check the pressure for each of your tires every month. Some vehicles may have a tire pressure monitoring system that provides a warning light when the tires are underinflated.
Is it better to have a low tire pressure or a high tire pressure?
Both underinflated tires and overinflated tires are dangerous. Tires with too much air in them will be stiff, which impacts their ability to connect with the road. As a result, if you drive over a sharp object or pothole, your tires can blow out. On the other hand, less air than recommended can lead to premature wear of your tires and negatively affect your fuel economy.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
