If you want to increase the performance level of your car, you must keep your car’s tire inflated adequately. However, you may be scratching your head if you don’t know how to inflate your car tire at home. In addition, did you understand that your car’s tires protect you from the leading cause of tire blowouts and improve your gas mileage? It does, and let me tell you how you can inflate a car tire at home.
What type of instrument do you need to inflate a car tire?
You’ll need the following items to inflate your tires at home:
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire inflator or an air compressor or a bike pump
Now, you have to perform the following steps:
Way 01: How to inflate a car tire with an air compressor?
You can inflate your car tire using an air compressor. Let’s check out how:
Step1: Get a tire pressure gauge and check the tire pressure:
Before inflating, you need to measure the air pressure in the tire, and you will need a tire pressure gauge. However, this tool is available at any auto parts store. In addition, there are two types of tire pressure gauges available:
Digital gauge: This gauge comes with an LCD that provides the readout, and you can easily understand it.
Dial gauge: The dial gauge is also helpful and indicates the tire’s pressure on the console.
After having the tire pressure gauge, you have to measure the tire pressure. But do you know the recommended air pressure of a tire? If you know, then it’s great. But, if you don’t know, no worry, you will find it in detail in the producer’s user guide on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jump.
Besides, you must be sure whether the pressure is the same for all four tires or different for the front and rear. Generally, it depends on the model of the car, and sometimes, you may find the tire pressure details on the tires themselves.
Now, let’s check the tire pressure using the tire pressure gauge. But, before that, you must remember that this measurement should be conducted when the tire is fantastic. Otherwise, you will get an erroneous result as hot air expands.
How to check the pressure?
So, remove the valve’s screw-on cap. This is the small black or silver stem that protrudes from your wheel. Next, remove the lid and store it somewhere you won’t lose it.
You must attach the gauge to the valve stem and press down firmly. You may hear the sound of hissing, which is actually an air escaping sound. And you have to press harder until the hissing stops. After that, read the gauge as directed to determine the pressure. Check the pressure of all 4 (four) tires and whether tire pressure is within the recommended range.
Step 2: Inflate Car tire with an Air compressor:
Now, you will need an air compressor to inflate your car tire. But if you don’t have a compressor on hand-which most people don’t- you have to go to the nearest gas station.
Afterward, remove the cap of the car’s valve and start the compressor. If you use a home compressor, this can be done with a switch, or if you use a service station compressor, it will begin to hiss.
- You have to place the hose nozzle on the valve stem and squeeze the valve trigger, just as you did with the pressure gauge. But, if you hear hisses sound loud, you must press harder until the sound reduces or stops.
- Keep going and determine how long you want to keep the compressor filling the tire. But, keep note of how much lower was your tire pressure than usual.
- A sliding gauge emerges from the top when you release the valve trigger on most tire compressors. Use it as a general guideline to see if you’re getting close to your desired PSI, not for absolute accuracy.
- Use your tire pressure gauge to find out whether you overfilled or need more air in the tire. If needed more air, continue the same process and fill more air. But, if overloaded, let the air out by pressing the pin inside the valve.
- Replace the cap after each tire of your car has been inflated to the proper pressure.
But, you must remember that if you drive more than a few miles to reach the service station, your tires will get hot and cause air pressure to rise. In that case, if your reading indicates that you need to add 10PSI to the tire, then you can do so. Afterward, Check the correct tire inflation a few hours after the tires have cooled down.
Related topic: How to use air compressor for bike tires
Way 02: How to Inflate a Car tire using a bike pump?
Suppose you have to go out and suddenly see that your car tire needs air immediately. But unfortunately, you don’t have an air compressor, and the service center isn’t nearby. So, in this circumstance, a tire pressure gauge and a bike pump equipped with a Schrader valve can save you from this situation.
Now, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Park the car on a clear and level surface:
You have to park your car on a level and clear surface; so that it would be easier to balance and operate the pump.
Step 2: Check the optimal pressure of the car tire:
You have to remove the caps of a tire valve, which will be found near the wheel’s rim metal. (Note: Put the valve caps in a safe place like a lidded plastic container or plastic bag; otherwise, they may be lost as they are tiny).
After finding out the information about the optimal pressure of your car tire (Which can be found in the car’s manual or a sticker inside of the driver’s door), you need to measure your tire pressure with the tire pressure gauge, but you should measure it after the tire cools down.
Step 3: Inflate the car tire
Now, connect the pump to the tire valve. Then place your bike pump’s valve over the car’s tire valve. The lever on the back of the valve should touch the hose when it is unlocked. Then securely press the pump valve against the tire valve, then raise the lever to secure the pump.
You may hear the sound of air escaping while connecting the pump to the tire. Don’t worry; the air escaping sound is very natural.
Now, raise and lower your pump’s pump bar steadily to inflate the car’s tire; it will take some time and effort. Then check your car’s tire pressure at regular intervals. But be careful, as I mentioned earlier, don’t overfill your tires; otherwise, overfilling may put a strain on the tires.
Lastly, recheck the tire’s pressure with the pressure gauge and put the caps on the tire valve.
I hope now you know the process of inflating tires. Similarly, inflate the tires of your car. But, if you want the best result, you must follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. However, you may need extra time to inflate the car’s tire with the bike pump than an air compressor. But initially, your problem will be solved.
This video might help you
Final Words:
Driving on flat tires can permanently damage and deform your rim; you may need to replace them. But this repairing process will be expensive. So, always check the air pressure in the tire before driving the car, and now I think you have a clear idea about “How to inflate a car tire at home.”
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