How to put air in tires in 5 easy steps

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

One of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle is keeping your tire pressure at the right level. Every car owner should know how to inflate a flat tire as part of regular vehicle care. The knowledge may come in handy during a road trip or an emergency. Too much or too little pressure can cause problems with ride quality and the reliability of your tires. In extreme cases, like hitting a large pothole, or running over some glass, a razor blade, or other sharp object, your tire may need to be professionally repaired or replaced. Your tires should always be inflated to the recommended levels, which are set by the tire manufacturer, in order to get the most out of them, and your car. Here is a detailed guide on how to put air in tires.

Tools you'll need before you start

• AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor - $27.19 at Amazon

• AstroAi Digital Tire Pressure Gauge - $9.99 (38% off) at Amazon

Instructions to put air in tires

Step 1: Find what your recommended tire pressures are

Start off by finding out the recommended tire pressures for both the front and rear tires of your vehicle. This can be found on the sticker on the side of the driver's door. These numbers show what tire pressures your manufacturer recommends for your vehicle so you can get the most out of your car while driving. Different cars have different pressures, so always check this label before inflating.

Step 2: Get your tire inflator ready

Turn on the air compressor. You can use your own tire inflator or compressor, or you could use the machine at a gas station. Most gas station inflators are away from the gas pumps and near the edge of the lot. They can be paid for with coins or with a card. Some stations or tire shops offer free air.

Step 3: Remove the valve stems

Remove the valve stem caps from your tires so you can connect the tip of the inflator and start adding air. Simply twist off the black cap until it comes unloose and put it in a safe place where you won't lose it.

Step 4 - Start inflating your tires

Once you add the air, use a pressure gauge to see if they are at the right PSI levels. Some tire inflators have a built-in pressure gauge that will show the PSI as you fill the tire. When you attach the compressor to the stem of the tire, and you hear a loud sound and you can feel the air then you are actually removing air from the tire. If you hear the air and don’t feel it all then you’re inflating the tire properly. If you have too little air, then keep on inflating. If you put in too much, then use the pressure gauge to take some air out until you reach your correct air pressure.