When seasons and temperatures change, chances are your tire pressure is changing with them. Drive with caution, as improper tire air pressure could turn a fun road trip into a very expensive ride. With correctly maintained tire pressure, your car can have better gas mileage, better control, and even a more comfortable drive. Adding regular tire pressure checks to your car's maintenance schedule will keep your drive safe and efficient no matter the season.

At Christian Brothers Automotive, we want you and your family safe. That's why we recommend checking your tire air pressure at least once a month. Be sure to follow the inflation pressure recommendations in your vehicle's owner's manual, on the tire information label in the glove box, or on the driver's side door. An air pressure check can be completed by a professional when you have your car serviced or maintenance performed, such as tire rotations or balancing.

What Do I Need To Check Tire Air Pressure

All you need is a tire air pressure gauge and a supply of air. You can find a pressure gauge at almost any auto parts store, convenience store, or gas station most of the time for less than $10. Most gas stations have air stands where you can fill up your tires. However, if the gas station is older, it's a good idea to load up on quarters before heading over to fill up.

Gauges come in three basic types, and picking the right one comes down to how you like to read a number:

• Analog Dial Gauges: They're inexpensive and durable, but the needle can be harder to read precisely.
• Digital Gauges: They give you an exact number instead of a needle to interpret.
• Pencil-Style Stick Gauges: They're compact enough to keep in a glove box.

Any of the three works fine as long as you check it against a second gauge occasionally, since a gauge that drifts out of calibration will give you a false reading.

When to Check Tire Air Pressure

All tires need to be checked, including your spare tire. We recommend checking each tire at least once a month, but every two weeks would be best. The vehicle manufacturer will tell you the optimal PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure. Make sure to follow the guidelines of your manufacturer, not your tires. The PSI printed on the side of tires shows the “maximum permissible” pressure, not the pressure best for your vehicle. Over-inflated tires can be just as dangerous as under-inflated tires.

You may have heard it's best to check air pressure when the tires are “cold”. Keep in mind, “cold” tires have nothing to do with the outside temperature or the weather. “Cold” tires are simply those that have not been driven on for at least 3 hours. Check your air pressure before driving to the gas station, and you should be fine.

Finding the Right PSI for Your Tires

The confusion around PSI almost always comes from looking at the wrong number. Thirty-two, thirty-five, and forty are not universal answers, because the correct PSI depends on your specific vehicle. Check the sticker on your driver's side door jamb or your owner's manual, not the number printed on the tire's sidewall. That sidewall number is the tire's maximum pressure, not the pressure your vehicle needs.

If you want to double check your number, the 4 PSI rule gives you an easy way to test it:

1. Fill your tires to your vehicle's recommended cold PSI
2. Drive at highway speed for 20 to 30 minutes
3. Check the pressure again

A rise of about 4 PSI means your starting pressure was right. A bigger jump means you started too low, and a smaller one means you started too high.

Uneven PSI also wears your tires unevenly, so pairing regular pressure checks with your tire rotation schedule helps them last longer.

How To Check Tire Pressure

First, remove the caps from the tire valve stems. Next, consult your vehicle's manual or the driver's door sticker for the optimal PSI for your vehicle and tires. Then, evenly press the tire pressure gauge onto the tire's valve stem to take a reading of the current tire pressure.

The gauge reads the pressure and displays the results to you via a digital readout or a traditional gauge's meter stick.

What Does the Tire Pressure Light Mean

The tire pressure light on your dashboard looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point inside it, and it means at least one tire has dropped below the recommended pressure. By law, the system has to warn you once a tire drops 25 percent or more below the manufacturer's recommended pressure, according to NHTSA's tire pressure monitoring rule. By the time the light comes on, your tire needs attention soon.

A few common issues can set it off, and knowing which one you're dealing with helps you decide how quickly to act:

• A Sudden Temperature Drop: Cold weather can lower tire pressure enough to trigger the light on its own, even without a leak.
• A Slow Leak: A nail, a worn valve stem, or a small wheel crack can let air out gradually.
• A Sensor Issue: Less often, the light points to a failing sensor rather than an actual pressure problem.

You do not need to pull over the moment the light comes on if your car is handling normally. Slow down, avoid highway speeds, and check each tire's pressure as soon as you can safely park. If a tire looks visibly flat or you hear air escaping, treat it as urgent and pull over right away.

What to Do If Your Tire Light Doesn’t Turn Off

Sometimes the light stays on after you add air, or it comes back a day later even though your tires look normal. Clearing it usually only takes a few minutes once you know the sequence:

1. Fill every tire, including the spare if your vehicle tracks it, to the PSI on your door jamb sticker
2. Drive for a few minutes so the system can recheck the pressure
3. Check your owner's manual for a reset button if the light does not clear on its own, usually located near the steering wheel or the fuse panel

If the light keeps returning after you have corrected the pressure more than once, that usually points to a slow leak or a sensor problem rather than anything you did wrong. Our technicians check for both as part of every courtesy inspection, so bring it in and we will find the cause.

How To Add Air To Tires

Check all tires and note which need air added. When parking, try to get as close to the station's air hose as possible so you can fill all tires quickly. Administer short bursts of air and keep checking the pressure every few seconds. Be careful not to over-inflate the tires. As you get closer to the optimal PSI, use less and less air. Keeping your tires properly inflated will provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient drive all year long.

Need Tire Pressure Help? Christian Brothers Automotive Is Here.

If you're ever unsure how to gauge your tire pressure, add air to your tires, or address vehicle issues related to air pressure, you can never go wrong by turning to our team of auto mechanics.

Our team will ensure your tire's air pressure is correct and recommend any other services we think may be necessary to prevent further damage down the road. With hundreds of locations coast to coast, we're confident you'll be able to locate your local auto shop and schedule an appointment in no time at all!

Need your tires checked? Find your local Christian Brothers Automotive and request service today!