How To Let Air Out Of Tires (DIY Guide For Cars & Trucks)

Your car tires must be filled to the appropriate pressure to ensure your on-road safety. If it gets overfilled, you must learn how to let the air out of the tire.

In this guide, we will cover how to let the air out of the car tire. We will also examine different types, such as how to let the air out of a bike tire.

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Why It Is Bad To Over Inflate Your Tires?

Can Cause Blowouts Or Car Accidents
As air pressure increases inside the tire, blowouts are possible. Plus, warm weather can further increase the air pressure in the tires. If you experience a blowout while driving, you put yourself and others at risk of injuries from an accident.
Tires Are Easily Damaged By Road Debris
By putting too much air in the tire, the tread becomes more susceptible to damage. As you encounter road debris, the tire in good condition is better armed. If you damage the tire, you will need a tire repair or replacement, which costs money.
Tires Wear Out Faster & Unevenly
At the appropriate air pressures, tires wear as they are supposed to. By adding more, you cause uneven wear that occurs faster, translating to more frequent tire replacement. If you want to save money and drive longer on the tires you have, they must have the right pressure. Read our complete guide on recommended tire pressure to avoid this problem!

How To Let Air Out Of Tires (DIY Guide For Cars & Trucks)

Signs Your Tires Could Be Over Inflated

Lack Of Traction
When the tires are overinflated, traction will be lost while traveling over slippery surfaces. The problem stems from a smaller contact patch because the tires are bulging with an excessive amount of air. With less road contact, control becomes more difficult.
Excessive Wear On Center Treads
As the tire bulges, the center treads do most of the hard work because it's where contact is made. With this defect, this part of the tread will wear out faster. Sadly, you need to replace the tire when tread in any area becomes too thin.
Uncomfortable Ride
You are going to notice a difference in the ride with overinflated tires. The journey is sure to be stiffer because of a lack of flexibility. As the tires remain stiff, you will start to feel every bump and dip in the road.
Car Behaving Oddly
Your modern vehicle is set up with advanced traction control and stability systems that require properly inflated tires. If you throw off the delicate balance, you could experience trouble with these systems. You might even see some warnings on the dashboard.

How To Check If Your Tire Pressure Is Correct

Before you learn how to let the air out of your tires, you need to know what the pressure is. With your tire gauge, you want to follow these steps.

1
Take the air valve cap off of the tire. Make sure you put it in a safe location.
2
Push the gauge onto the open stem for a second. You may hear a slight hiss.
3
Read the gauge. Manual gauges have a dial that points to the appropriate number, while a digital gauge shows the reading.
4
Compare this reading with what's recommended to determine if it needs air.
5
Replace the valve stem cap.

tire sitting on the floor of a mechanic shop

How To Let Air Out Of Tires (DIY Deflation Guide For Cars & Trucks)

If you want to know how to let the air out of the tires, you must first figure out what the pressure should be. This information can be found on the tires or the driver's side door jamb. Smaller cars are going to require less air pressure than a big truck or SUV.

Partial Deflation

If you need to reduce the pressure by a little, it's time to learn how to let the air out of the tires with a tire gauge. Follow these steps.

1
Remove the valve stem on the tire. Put the cap in a safe location, so you don't lose it.
2
On your air pressure tool, you can use the nipple to release the air pressure. You should hear the air releasing from the tire.
3
Check the pressure often to ensure you don't take out too much air. You want to stop once you reach the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch).
4
Replace the valve stem cap once the tire is at the right measurement.

If you want to know how to let the air out of the tire without a gauge, simply grab a flathead screwdriver and push on the metal pin at the center of the stem. It should start releasing air.

Full Deflation (Fast)

If you need to know, "how can I let air out of my tires fast," you need to start by jacking it up. If you plan to deflate the entire tire, you need it to be off of the ground. Here are the steps you want to follow when learning how to let air out of the tires fast.

1
With a floor jack, carefully lift the vehicle. Place jack stands in the appropriate location for safety purposes.
2
Unscrew the stem's metal pin, and the tire will deflate much faster. You will need a thin needle nose plier or valve stem remover to turn the pin counter clockwise. Put this pin in a safe location, so you don't lose it.
3
Once you have finished deflating the tires, you can reinsert the pin so you know where it is.

Do not put the vehicle back on the ground until you have fully inflated tires installed. Otherwise, you risk damage to the rim, suspension components, and other vital parts.

Letting The Air Out At Gas Station

If you've put too much air in at a free or paid-for station, you want to know how to let the air out of a tire at a gas station. With a flathead screwdriver, you need to push on the pin inside the valve stem.

Then, use the tire pressure gauge on the air inflator or your own to monitor how much air is left inside of the tires. Once you reach the recommended amount, stop letting air out.

Car Tire Air FAQs

How much air should you let out of tires when driving on sand?

You want to reduce tire pressure when driving on sand to increase traction. If you don't know how much air to let out of tires on sand, aim to reduce the pressure by 15 to 20 PSI in most tires.

How do you deflate a road bike tire?

The steps showing how to let the air out of a bike tire mimic that of a regular automotive tire. Push the pin inside the stem to slowly reduce the air pressure.

Do car tires naturally lose air?

Osmosis and temperature changes can cause the tires to lose air pressure over time. That's why you should check the tire pressures at least once a month and fill them up as needed.

How do I stop someone else from letting air out of my tires?

The best way to prevent another person from learning how to let the air out of someone's tires is to set up cameras or surveillance of your vehicle. Once you have them breaking the law, you can turn them into the local authorities.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to let the air out of a car tire, you are ready to regulate the pressures and maintain the tread for optimal on-road safety. Check the pressures often and remove air whenever the pressure is too high.