How to put air in car tires

Knowing how to put air in your tires is a must for staying safe on the road. Properly inflated tires help prevent blowouts, which happen when the tire pressure drops suddenly, and they also give you better gas mileage and smoother, more efficient driving. Let’s break down how to inflate your tires, check your tire pressure, and keep everything rolling safely and efficiently.

How to inflate your tires

You’ve got two ways to fill up your tires: either use an air pump at a gas station or go with a home compressor or inflator. The steps are pretty much the same for both—it just depends on what’s more convenient for you.

Remember, you want to be careful not to overfill your tire. But if you do, it's okay—just let some air out. You can use your fingernail or a pen tip to gently press the metal pin inside the valve. Once you’ve let some air out, check the air pressure again to make sure it’s right. Let's explore the two methods for inflating your tires:

Inflating your tires at a gas station

Here’s how to fill up a tire using a commercial air hose compressor at a gas station:

1. Unscrew the valve cap and set it somewhere safe so it doesn’t go missing.
2. Attach the tire chuck to the valve stem. This piece allows air to flow into the tire.
3. Press firmly to ensure a good connection. You should hear the air going in—if you hear hissing, check that it’s attached securely.
4. Check the air pressure with a tire gauge and keep filling until it matches the recommended level.
5. Put the valve cap back on securely.
6. Repeat the process for any other tires that need air.

Inflating your tires at home

Whether you’re using a home air compressor or a portable tire inflator, the process is pretty similar to what you’d do at a gas station. Here’s how it works:

1. Unscrew the valve cap and keep it in a safe spot so it doesn’t get lost.
2. Connect the nozzle of your compressor or inflator to the valve.
3. Set the compressor or inflator to the recommended pressure. If you’re using a compressor, you’ll need a tire chuck to attach to the valve stem.
4. Press firmly on the connection. You should hear air flowing into the tire—if you hear a hissing sound, adjust the connection.
5. If the machine lets you pre-set the PSI, it’ll beep loudly once it hits the right pressure. If not, add air for about 5–10 seconds, then use your pressure gauge to check where you’re at.
6. Keep checking the air pressure as you go, and either add more air or let some out until you hit the right PSI.
7. Screw the valve cap back on.
8. Repeat for any other tires that need attention.

How to check your tire pressure

Checking your tire pressure is super easy—all you need is a pressure gauge. Here's what you should do:

Tire pressure gauge

There are three common types:

1. Stick gauge: It’s slim and metallic, about the size of a pencil. When you press it onto the tire valve, a little stick slides out, showing the pressure reading.
2. Dial gauge: It is a similar setup, but it has a gauge with a needle to show the pressure.
3. Digital gauge: Again, it is a similar setup, but it gives you a digital reading.

Stick tire gauges can be hit-or-miss in terms of accuracy and are more tricky to read, so it might be worth investing in something more reliable. Digital or dial tire gauges are great options for accuracy, though they cost more than a stick gauge.

How to check

Look for the small rubber or metal valve stem on the inside rim of your wheel, and unscrew the cap to expose the air valve. Take your pressure gauge and press the open end firmly onto the valve. You should hear a light hissing sound as the gauge reads the air pressure. Hold it steady for a moment, then pull it away and check the reading on the gauge—either on the dial, the stick, or the digital screen, depending on the type of gauge you’re using. Easy as that!

Pro tip: Always check your tire pressure when the tires are cool—ideally before you’ve been driving much or three hours after your trip. The heat from driving can temporarily raise the pressure and give you an inaccurate reading.

You can also check tire pressure at most gas stations or auto repair shops if you don’t have a tire pressure gauge handy.

How often should you check your tire pressure?

Some suggest checking your tire pressure every second trip to the gas station, while others say once every 3–6 months is fine. However, most tire and vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a month—or every other time you fill up on gas. Why? Because tires naturally lose about 1 PSI per month. But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. How often you need to check can also depend on things like:

• How often and how far you drive—more miles mean more wear.
• What you’re hauling—heavy loads or towing puts extra strain on your tires.
• Weather—big temperature swings can make a difference (for every 10°F drop in temperature, your tires lose about 1 PSI).

If you’ve got a slow leak from a valve or a tiny puncture, you’ll lose air faster. That’s another reason to stay on top of your tire pressure regularly.

Fun fact: Did you know that for every 3 PSI, your tires are under-inflated, and your car uses about 1% more fuel? Plus, your tires can wear out up to 10% faster. That's why checking your tire pressure should be included as part of your regular car maintenance.

Also, don't forget to check the tire pressure on your spare tire! The last thing you want when you go to change your tire is to find the spare tire flat.

How to find out how much air should be in your tires

Check your car’s manual or the sticker on the driver-side doorpost for the recommended tire pressure. You’ll find it listed in psi or kPa (kilopascals).

Car tire pressures typically fall between 30–35 psi (pounds per square inch), though light trucks often require higher pressure. Some vehicles need the same pressure in all four tires, while others might call for different pressures in the front and rear tires.

Always follow the recommended PSI from your car's manual or the sticker on the driver-side doorpost—not the number on the tire sidewall. The PSI printed on the tire is the maximum pressure the tire can handle, but it is not the ideal pressure for your vehicle. Driving with over-inflated tires can lead to poor handling, an uncomfortable ride, overheating, or even blowouts. For most vehicles, anything over 40 PSI is pushing into dangerous territory.

Stick to the PSI level recommended for your car, and don’t exceed it by more than 5 PSI. Also, double-check that your tires are the right type for your vehicle by referring to your owner’s manual. Having the right size tires and keeping your tires at the proper pressure keeps you safe and your car performing its best.

Can you put air in your tires when they're warm?

It’s best to fill your tires when they’re cold, but if they’re already warm and low on air, go ahead and fill them—you don’t want to drive around with underinflated tires. Just keep in mind that the recommended PSI from the manufacturer is based on cold tires.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb: For every 10°F increase in temperature, your tire pressure goes up by 1 PSI. Tires are considered “cold” if the car hasn’t been driven for at least three hours or if you’ve only driven a mile or less at moderate speeds.

If you fill your tires while they’re warm, make a note to recheck them once the car has been parked for a few hours and the tires have cooled down. If needed, adjust the pressure again for accuracy.

What can cause low tire pressure?

Newer cars come with tire pressure warning lights, also known as tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). These handy systems let you know when a tire is under or over-inflated—usually when it’s about 25% below the recommended pressure. If you’re driving an older vehicle, though, you won’t have this feature, so it’s up to you to keep an eye on your tire pressure. There are several reasons why your tire pressure warning light may have come on, such as low pressure due to:

• A puncture from a nail, glass, debris, potholes, or other sharp object(s)
• Corrosion that caused a small leak in your tire
• Temperature changes affecting the density of the air in your tires
• Your tire(s) are old and worn, so they cannot retain air properly
• Your rim(s) or wheel(s) being bent, letting air escape
• Valve stem issues
• Not refilling your tires regularly

The tire pressure warning light usually comes on when the air pressure in one or more tires falls outside the recommended range. Your tires are designed to perform best and keep you safe within a specific pressure range. In fact, the light might turn on even if the pressure drops by just 10%—long before you’d notice anything just by looking at the tires.

Help protect your car with BrokerLink today

It's important to regularly check and maintain your tire pressure to avoid blowouts. When your tire is underinflated, more of its surface touches the road, causing the rubber to heat up. This extra heat can lead to a sudden blowout, which often makes the driver lose control of the car. Loss of control can lead to collisions, and having the right car insurance coverage can help with that.

As your local car insurance brokerage, BrokerLink can help you find affordable car insurance coverage that fits your budget. Our licensed insurance experts are ready to help you build the perfect policy for your needs, whether it be adding comprehensive or collision coverage or roadside assistance in case you find yourself with a flat tire.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

Get an auto insurance quote [phone]