You can fill your tires quickly and easily with an air pump at home or at a gas station. Make sure you have an air pressure gauge ready so the tires can be filled accurately. Maintaining proper air pressure in the tire will help prevent the tire from bursting, which is usually the result of a rapid drop in tire pressure. In addition, the correct inflating of tires will maximize the use of gasoline and driving efficiency.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Measuring Pressure
Step 1. Purchase a tire pressure gauge
Look for this tool at a trusted auto parts store or repair shop. This tool is quite cheap and easy to carry around. The price ranges from IDR 65,000 for the regular to IDR 390,000 for the digital and features an air release button and even voice guidance. There are two types of tire air pressure gauges that are easy to carry around: potlot and dial type
- Potlot type measuring instruments are long, thin and metallic, about the size of a pencil. This tool has the extension shifted gradually by air pressure when attached to the tire rod.
- The dial type measuring instrument is similar to the potlot, but is also equipped with a meter and a marking needle.
Step 2. Check tire air pressure
Find a small piece of rubber on your tire rim, and open it to see the tire air valve. Press the open end of the air pressure gauge on the tire valve. Hold firmly and steadily, and listen for a light whistling sound as the gauge reads the pressure from the tire. After a few moments, pull the gauge from the tire and view the measurement results on the small screen on the tool.
Step 3. Determine how much air is still in the tire
Car tire pressures typically range from 206.8 to 241.3 kpa (kilopascals), although small trucks generally require more pressure. Some vehicles require the same amount of pressure for each tire, but some have different front and rear tire pressures. In general, tires will deflate by 6.9 kPa each month. You should check the tire pressure at least every month because the ambient temperature also affects the kpa of the tires. This is a great way to find small leaks. It's also a good idea to check the tire pressure when refueling. Instead of standing still, grab your gauge and check the tire pressure. Make sure you check the spare tire pressure twice a year so it doesn't go flat when needed.
- Refer to the car's manual or the driver's door instructions for recommended tire pressures. The instruction label will suggest tire pressure in kPa or psi (pounds per square inch).
- If your tire is completely flat, there may be a leak. Try filling the tires with air and check that the air is not leaking. If the tires are holding air, take a short ride and check the tire pressure again. If the tire pressure drops, the tire has a small puncture and must be taken to a tire repair shop. If you can hear the sound of air leaking, we recommend installing a spare tire. If more than one tire is blown, you will need to contact a towing service.
Part 2 of 3: Pumping Preparation
Step 1. Remove the valve stem cover
This cover will be put back on so keep it well or put it in your pocket. However, you should leave each stem cover on the valve until the tire will be inflated. Thus, the cover still performs its function and is not at risk of being lost.
Step 2. Set up the air pump
Automatic air compressors are expensive, but they do their job quickly. You can use a manual pump, for example a bicycle pump. However, this method takes a lot of time and effort. You can buy an air pump, or borrow from a friend. Otherwise, most gas stations provide air and water pumps.
- If you are using a bicycle pump, make sure the schrader valve is correct. It's a good idea to ask someone else for help so you don't have to do everything yourself. Car tires are much bigger than bicycle tires!
- You can buy an air pump that plugs into your car's 12v line at an auto parts store when you buy a tire air pressure gauge.
Step 3. Make sure the tires are cold
This means that it is best to fill the tire in the morning or when you have driven less than 3.2 km since the tire went flat. If you have driven more than 1.6-3.2 km, the air pressure measurement results will be inaccurate.
Step 4. Use the air pump at the nearest gas station
Usually, this pump is in the gas station parking lot, far from the gas station. If you don't meet, try asking a gas station employee. Park the car next to the air pump and look for the coin slot. Usually, you can use this pump for free.
- Park the car near the pump so the hose can reach all four of your tires. This is easier if you only fill 1-2 tires.
- Check tire pressure while refueling. If the use of a gas station air pump is charged, usually this fee is free if you have filled up with gas. Maybe you need to show proof of filling the gas to the gas station attendant.
Part 3 of 3: Tire Filling
Step 1. Connect the pump
If you are using a gas station pump, insert a coin to start the pump. The sound of the pump vibrating and rumbling should begin to be heard. Pull the pump hose to the nearest tire (or the tire that needs to be filled) and press the end of the pump hose to the end of the tire air valve. Hold it firmly and steadily, and listen to the sound of the wind filling the tires.
If you hear the sound of air spraying wildly, try stabilizing the pump. It is possible that the end of the pump hose is not properly attached to the valve
Step 2. Be patient
If your tire air pressure is already very low, it may take a few minutes to fill each tire. If the tire has been filled not long ago, and is now just perfecting the pressure, filling can take as little as 10-20 seconds. If you're just fine-tuning the tire pressure, we recommend doing it with a manual pump to save money.
Step 3. Check tire pressure before leaving, and adjust if necessary
When you feel the tires are filled with air enough, remove the pump hose and use a gauge to measure the tire pressure. Again, the standard pressure for most tires is 206.8-241, 3 kPa, but check the car's specs to be sure. Fill the tire with air if the pressure is still low, and release air if it is too high. When the tire pressure is right, your job is done.
- To release air from the tire, press the center pin on the valve stem with your fingernail or a tool. You should hear the hissing of air coming out of the tires. Release the air little by little so that it doesn't come out excessively while checking the tire pressure as often as possible.
- Make sure you inflate the tires to the recommended pressure, even if the measurement results are only 6, 9-13, 7 kPa. It is said that every 20.7 kPa below the recommended figure, gasoline consumption is 1% more wasteful. In addition, the acceleration of tire wear is increased by 10%
Step 4. Replace the tire valve stem cover
When you are done filling each tire, make sure you replace the valve stem cover. You don't need to seal the valve, but the risk of the tire losing air is reduced. The valve will not lose air unless it is compressed by something, such as a stick, finger, or other foreign object.
Step 5. Repeat the process for each tire
If the pump hose does not reach, please move the car closer to the pump or turn around. However, keep in mind that each pumping session is limited in time so you have to be quick so you don't have to pay again.
Tips
- Something you need to know for those of you who are the first to fill tire air, the air dispenser usually operates for a short time (about 3 minutes). Therefore, open the valve cover first, and park the car parallel to the air pump to save time.
- The appropriate amount of air pressure for each tire is written on a sticker inside the driver's door. If you can't find it, it must be in the car manual.
- On average, each month the tires lose 0.4 kg of air. Therefore, make sure you check the tire pressure once every month.
- Know how to use an air pump. Usually, the end of the pump hose has a tube attached to the tire valve stem, and a switch/handle that must be pressed to fill the air. If you let go of the handle, a meter will appear at the end and display the air pressure, while at the same time air starts to come out of the tire. You should keep the handle pressed, while releasing it occasionally to check if the target air pressure has been reached.
- Tire air pressure should only be checked if the temperature is cold. If you have driven more than 1.6-3.2 km, the measurement results may be wrong.
Warning
- Take care that the tires are filled properly. Excess air pressure will accelerate tire wear and affect driving comfort. Pressure that is too low will increase tire tension and cause it to overheat and then explode. This can cause a car with a high point of gravity (such as an SUV) to overturn. Low air pressure also causes tires to wear out quickly and waste energy (resulting in a drastic reduction in driving distance). It should be noted that usually the maximum amount of tire pressure is higher than that stated on the vehicle. Don't let your tire pressure be lower than the vehicle's stated pressure.
- If possible, use the gauges you have, as sometimes the meter at gas station compressors is inaccurate.
- Due to the limited time to use the air pump, try to fill in excess air in each tire just in case. When you're done, take your air pressure gauge and test the pressure of each tire, then blow out the air a little at a time (if needed) until the pressure is just right.
- When using a high-pressure air compressor (eg at a gas station) to fill a bicycle tire, fill in the air little by little to prevent the tire pressure being too high and risking a burst.
- Sometimes, the end of the air dispenser hose has a metal air pressure gauge on which the reading is engraved. These gauges are usually difficult to read at night, so it's best to bring your own.
- It is highly recommended not to lean on the tires while filling the tires. Even if the tire burst is unlikely, it's best not to lean on the tire to prevent injury.
- Be careful to inflate more air than the tire needs. In general, tires with a pressure of 275.8 kPa or more are close to blowing. For safety reasons, do not exceed 34.4 kPa of the recommended level.
- It's a good idea to remove dangling necklaces and jewelry while working with tires (and other car parts).
