How to Check the Tire Pressure on Your Kia in Frederick, MD

The correct tire pressure is vital for your tire’s health. If your tire pressure is too low, your tires will sustain more damage from abrasion and their surface grip will be weaker. Tires with a pressure that’s too high will heat up faster and can blow out. As your Kia dealer, we’d like to give you some advice on how to check tire pressure to maintain healthy tires for longer.

Advice From Your Kia Dealer: How to Check Tire Pressure

Buy a Tire Pressure Gauge

The first step is to get a tire pressure gauge. There are many different gauges available, and they are either manual or digital. A manual tire gauge looks similar to a very large pencil, and they’re often called pencil gauges. A digital gauge, in contrast, usually looks similar to a large stopwatch. Both types of gauges will work just fine for checking the pressure. The choice depends on individual preference and budget.

A manual gauge is usually easy to carry and light. The gauge will slide out to reveal the tire pressure. A digital gauge is bulkier, but its readout display is easier to read. Digital gauges operate with batteries or are charged at a wall socket.

Check Recommended Pressure

Recommended tire pressure can vary greatly. The variance depends on your drivetrain, environment, and even weight factors, for example, if you’re pulling a trailer. Your car manual gives the recommended pressure for your tires. The manual also advises changing the pressure depending on the above factors. Write the pressure of each tire down to make checking easier.

You can also find the tire pressure on a sticker or a metal plaque inside the door jamb of the front driver’s side door. It’s important to remember that these pressures are the correct ones for your car, not the ones molded into your tires. The pressure marked on your tire is the maximum pressure the tire can hold.

Check Your Tire Pressure

Remove the cap from the first tire nozzle and attach your tire pressure gauge. The gauge will give you a reading for that tire. Write this number next to the recommended pressure for the tire. After you’ve written it down, securely attach the cap to the nozzle. Repeat this step until you’ve checked all your tires.

Compare the recommended pressure for each tire to its actual pressure. You’ll then know which tires need air. You may find that some tires are over the recommended pressure. This can happen if you check your tires less than an hour after driving. The heat from contact with the surface increases the pressure in a tire.

Get Your Tire Pressure Checked Today

If any of your tires are leaking or damaged, call us at DARCARS Kia of Frederick. Our technicians will repair or replace the tires for you. Need the tire pressure checked by professionals? Schedule with us here!

Tags: How to Check Tire Pressure, Tire Pressure FAQs
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