Checking tyre pressure is one of the simplest and most worthwhile jobs a driver can do. It takes a few minutes, needs only a gauge, and protects grip, fuel economy and tyre life all at once.
What is needed
A reliable pressure gauge is the only essential, digital, dial or stick-type all work, and a decent one is inexpensive. To adjust the pressure, an air pump is needed too: the machine on a petrol forecourt, or a portable inflator kept at home or in the car. Ordinary air is perfectly fine for topping up, the nitrogen alternative makes little practical difference. It also helps to know the recommended pressure before starting.
Check cold
The single rule that makes a reading accurate is to check cold. Recommended pressures are cold figures, and driving warms the air and raises the reading by several PSI. That means checking before driving, or after the car has stood for a few hours. A reading taken straight after a motorway run will be high and misleading.
The step by step
- Find the figure. Note the car's recommended pressure, including the higher laden figure if carrying a load
- Remove the valve cap from the first tyre and keep it safe
- Press the gauge firmly onto the valve until the hissing stops, and read the pressure
- Adjust: add air in short bursts, or release it by pressing the valve pin, re-checking as you go
- Re-check and refit the cap once the tyre is at the right pressure
- Repeat on all four tyres, and the spare
After adjusting on a car with a pressure monitoring system, the TPMS may need resetting so it learns the new pressures and does not flag a false warning.
How often
A check once a month suits most drivers, plus before any long journey and whenever the car is carrying a heavy load. Tyres lose a little air naturally, a slow drift of a couple of PSI a month is normal, so a regular check keeps them where they should be rather than waiting for a warning light, by which point the pressure is already well down.
A fitter sets the pressures when new tyres go on, as happens when a set bought from a tyre site like Tyres.co.uk is fitted, but between visits this monthly habit is what keeps them right.
From the workshop: forecourt gauges take a beating and drift out of calibration. If a tyre reads fine on a station gauge but the car still feels low, trust a decent gauge of your own over the one bolted to the wall.
Sources and accuracy. The method and frequency here reflect manufacturer and motoring-body guidance at the time of writing. The car's handbook is the definitive source for its recommended pressures. If anything here looks wrong, get in touch and we will check it and put it right.
Common questions
How do I check my tyre pressure?+
Check when the tyres are cold, with a reliable gauge. Find the recommended pressure for the car, unscrew the valve cap, press the gauge firmly onto the valve until the hissing stops, and read the figure. Add or release air to match the recommended pressure, re-check, and refit the cap.
How often should I check tyre pressure?+
At least once a month, and always before a long journey or when carrying a heavy load. Tyres lose a little air naturally over time, so monthly checks catch a slow drift before it affects grip, wear or fuel use.
Should tyres be warm or cold when checking pressure?+
Cold. Recommended pressures are cold figures, and a warm tyre reads several PSI higher after driving. Check before setting off, or leave the car standing for a few hours first, for an accurate reading.
Do I need to check the spare tyre's pressure?+
Yes, if the car has one. A spare slowly loses pressure while it sits unused, and a flat or low spare is no use in an emergency. It is easy to overlook, so it is worth including in the monthly check.