Informational Guide

How Often Should You Check Your Tire Pressure

Because your car tires are the only component making contact with the road, you must regularly check the pressures to ensure safety. But, how often should you check your tire pressure?  

It depends on a few factors.  

In this guide, we cover how often to check spare tire pressure along with some other important criteria you want to know.  

Why Is It So Important To Check Tire Pressure Regularly? 

The most important reason to figure out how often to check tire pressure is because of safety. When the tire pressures are off, you are at a higher risk of a blowout or accident. However, it's also essential to check the pressure regularly to avoid tire wear.  

When the tire isn't inflated correctly, the tread can wear unevenly, leading you to need replacements more frequently.  

car tire valve cap

How Often Should You Check Your Tire Pressure? 

How often should you check your tire pressure according to the DMV? The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends checking pressures at least once a month. However, there are some factors that must be discussed. 

For starters, you should perform a visual inspection of the tires every time you drive. With a simple visual inspection, you can see larger problems before you hit the road. If the tires look underinflated, it's important that you take the time to check the pressures.  

How often should you check tire pressure when temperatures are fluctuating? When it gets hotter, the tire pressure rises in response. On the other hand, as temperatures drop, the tire pressure also goes down. For this reason, you should check the tire pressure anytime that the temperature changes dramatically.  

What about how often to check spare tire pressure? You can't just leave your spare tire to sit in the trunk without checking it occasionally. Otherwise, you might end up with a faulty spare when you need it the most. Many of the top auto professionals recommend having the spare tire checked whenever you have the tires rotated, approximately every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.  

All of these suggestions need to be altered if you are driving long distances every day or towing heavy loads. In both of these cases, you should check the tire pressures more frequently.  

check tire pressure

Factors That Affect Tire Pressure 

  • Ambient Temperature  
    As the outdoor temperature rises, the pressure in the tire also becomes higher. In contrast, a drop in outdoor temperature is going to cause air pressure to decrease. If the temperatures are changing drastically, you will need to check the tire pressure more often.  
  • Tire Temperature  
    As the tires roll down the road, they will begin to heat up from the friction and resistance. Every five minutes on the road, air pressure can jump up about 1 PSI, reaching a maximum of 4-5 PSI when all is said and done. For this reason, you want to check the tire pressures before you go driving.  
  • Sun Exposure  
    Think about the color of your car tires. Those black car tires are going to soak up the heat of the sun, causing the air inside to also warm up. In fact, the sun's rays can affect tire pressures by up to 15%. You might prefer checking the tire pressure when the car hasn't been sitting in the hot sun.  
  • Leakage   
    If the tires are leaking, the pressure will change sporadically. The amount of pressure lost will depend on how heavy a leak you are dealing with. For example, a small puncture might not let a lot of air out, while something bigger could lead to a massive loss of pressure quickly.  

How To Check Tire Pressure (Step By Step Instruction) 

The steps to learning how to check Audi tire pressure are the same as figuring out how you check the tire pressure on a Presta valve. Whether you are dealing with a car or a bike, you will treat the tire the same way.  

  1. 1
    Take the cap off of the air valve. Make sure you place it where it won't be lost. 
  2. 2
    Push the tire pressure gauge against the open stem for a second. You might hear a slight loss of air. 
  3. 3
    Read the gauge. If you have a manual gauge, you need to see where the dial falls. However, a digital gauge will be much easier to read. 
  4. 4
    Compare the number you see with the recommendation on the driver's side door jamb. 
  5. 5
    Inflate the tires if needed. 
  6. 6
    Put the tire valve cap back on. 
  7. 7
    Repeat this same procedure for every tire, including the spare if needed.  
how to check tire pressure

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How long does the right tire pressure usually last? 

It's normal for a car tire to lose between 1 to 3 PSI every month, even when everything is in good working condition. That's why it's recommended to check them every month.  

How long should you wait after driving to check tire pressure? 

You want the car tires to cool down after driving before you check the air pressure. For this reason, it's recommended that you wait at least three hours after driving.  

Do tires lose air without the cap? 

Air can seep out the stem when there is no cap placed on it. Plus, dirt and debris can get into the stem, which could lead to further issues. For the price, there's no reason to neglect cap replacement.  

Do I need to put extra air in my tires when it's cold? 

For the recommended tire pressure to be met, you might need to add some more air during colder months. The drop in temperature creates a loss of pressure, so check it and adjust it accordingly.  

Conclusion

How often should I check my tire pressure? Under normal conditions, you should be okay to check the tire pressures monthly. However, it never hurts to check it more often, especially if you are pushing your vehicle harder.  

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