@metamorphosis The biggest thing is to just try to shove it on straight.
If you go somewhere other than Costco, they often have a pressure gauge that has a brass part that rises up out of the handle itself.
For that, it's the same idea: make sure you know the target pressure, and look for that number (they might not have every 5 PSI marked with a number, so just look at the scale--but you stay very fit, so you can read a scale; this is the same as an analog weight scale, just in PSI).
I’ve only had to use one at a gas station, and it did have the gauge. You can also get a little air compressor that has the gauge on it to keep in your car sometime.
@metamorphosis The air pumps I use start beeping when you’ve reached the correct pressure. You set the pump to the pressure you want before you start filling the tire.
Just go to like a Jiffy Lube or any oil changing place....they check your fluids and will check your tire pressure....when you pull in just tell them you think your tires are low and just tell them you've never done this before with a smile and I'm sure they'd be happy to help you out....Good luck even finding a gas station that has a working air machine....I must have gone to 20 gas stations and not one of them had a working air machine.....You put your 50 cents or dollar in and it just sits there and doesn't do a thing except eat more money....Good luck!!!
Some have them, most of the ones I see do not. Even the ones that have them, I do not trust them, I always use my own gauge, they are cheap and you can generally get them at a gas station. Some air pumps have a setting where you can set the pressure and it will stop once you reach that pressure, if you can find that kind those are the easiest.
How new is your car? Many of the newer vehicles have a tire pressure read out in the dash display. You may have to do a bit of digging to find it but many cars and trucks have them now. Kind of an offshoot from the airlines who have been using that technology for decades.
They don't usually go high enough to over inflate. Probably not a good Guage on one if it has one at all. I usually suggest getting and keeping a decent Guage. An inflator, either plugin or battery powered, and a boot/jumper pack to keep in all your cars.
Some do, most don't, and those that do are usually not accurate. Stop at a local auto parts store and pick up a tire pressure gauge... keep it in the car.
@metamorphosis yep, just watch the tire as you inflate it and when it looks like it is full, stick the gauge on it. It may take you a few tries the first time, but you'll get the hang of it.
Long-term get a 12 volt pump to keep in the trunk... you set the pressure you want and it turns off when it reaches that pressure. They can be had for under $30 and will soon pay for themselves.
Yes but usually not accurate. Better to get your own gauge and check with that. Keep topping off till pressure is where it should be...lower the pressure if you go over. Overinflated is not ok.
SW-User
If you have a Discount Tire in your area, they offer free air service and will inflate your tires to the correct pressure.
One point that seems to be missing here is, Why is the tire low? Modern tires don't leak very much and if one is going low it needs a repair. Take it to a tire shop and get it done so you don't wind up with a flat where you least want one.
Not beats having your own tire pressure gauge. The provided are only good as a best estimate. But I know what you mean. Side note: the tire sensor usually doesn’t activate until the tires are way down, or that’s my experience.
If you regularly air up your tires grab the cigarette lighter plug in one so you don't have to find a gas station with one. About $30 and they have the gauge and you can do it anywhere
They will often have a pressure gauge and if so you've got to watch the gauge to avoid overinflation.
I've also seen some that have a max pressure setting that will prevent overinflation.
If you go over a few pounds it's not a big problem. Plus, the protective screw cap over the tire filler port often has a sort of little "nipple" on it that can be pressed into the filler port to release pressure.
SW-User
Most newer cars have the tire pressures on a screen in the dashboard
