How To Check Car Tire Pressure Without A Gauge?

‍How To Check Car Tire Pressure Without A Gauge?

A car tire pressure gauge is a small device that measures the air pressure inside a car tire. It is essential to check your car's tire pressure regularly to avoid any possible problems caused by low or high air pressure.

This is the best and most accurate method, but if you don't have one handy, there are other effective ways to check your tire pressure.

Apply Pressure Manually

The fastest and easiest way to check on your tire pressure is by manually pressing on the exterior of the tire with your hand. If the pressure is alarmingly low, you will feel how soft the tire is.

This is an indication that you must put air in your tires as soon as possible. If the tire has a firm feeling, this means it is in no danger of going flat, but that does not mean it is inflated to the recommended PSI level.

It is also possible for overinflation of the tire to happen. So that means the tire could feel too firm, but this is more difficult to notice through the manual pressure test.

Use The Visual Test

The visual test is another reliable way of checking tire pressure. If you've never done this before, you should know that it's easy to use and doesn't require any tools.

If the tire looks sunken or lower than other tires, it is probably underinflated and needs to be checked out. You must be parked on a flat surface when doing this.

When the tire pressure is low, the tire will bulge by more than one centimeter. This is the perfect indication that you need to inflate the tire more.

Add Weight To The Tire

Another method that can be used to find bulges in the tire to indicate a lack of tire pressure is by adding weight to your vehicle.

The goal of this trick is to force more pressure onto the tires. You don’t need to add too much to spot a severely underinflated tire either.

This method allows you to see a tire that is 10% below the recommended PSI or more.

Test Drive The Tire

The last option is to take your car for a ride and see how your tires handle. When you lack tire pressure, the car pulls to one side on its own and you will feel less driving comfort.

The tires will also be noisy when driving over bumpy roads if you have an underinflated tire.

Are Car Tire Pressure Measurements Accurate Without A Gauge?

The answer is no. A tire pressure gauge is still the most accurate way to measure your car’s tire pressure.

This is because a gauge will provide you with a reading that is less than or equal to the tire's actual pressure. This will ensure that the tires are safe and not under or over-inflated.

A gauge also has a small display window, making it easy to read and compare multiple readings quickly.

The methods provided in this guide all require a degree of guesswork with no specific measurement. There is no better way to get an exact PSI reading than using a tire pressure gauge.

Why You Need To Check Car Tire Pressure Regularly

When a car tire is under-inflated, it can lead to several problems, such as slower acceleration and braking, decreased fuel efficiency, or even tire blowouts. It's essential to check the pressure regularly and ensure the tires are inflated to the correct PSI.

If you have been driving for a while, then you know how important it is to check your tire pressure regularly. You don't want to end up on the side of the road because you have low or no air in your tires and run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

Below are the three primary benefits to inspire you to stay on top of your car tire pressure levels.

Better Driving Performance

Checking tire pressure is important because you will have better driving performance when PSI levels are correct. However, many people don't know how to check their tire pressure properly and fail to do it enough.

You will notice a much-improved driving experience when taking tire pressure seriously. A regular check every month can make all the difference and helps your tires in the long run.

Better Tire Durability

Not only do your tires and vehicle drive with better performance, but proper tire pressure helps with tire and car durability too. When you drive on a deflated tire, it creates an unbalanced ride.

This causes weight to press down on the rim more and also increases the weight on other tires. When this happens, you are causing the tread to wear significantly faster.

Instead, you can opt to drive your tires at their recommended pressure levels so they last longer.

Identify Tire Punctures Early

The other benefit of regularly checking your tire pressure is the ability to notice tire punctures right away. You can catch the problem before you experience a flat tire or a blowout.

By catching it early, you can also have the tire repaired and save some money on a simple tire patch instead of a full replacement later on.

How Often Should You Check Car Tire Pressure?

Checking your tire pressure often is the best way to keep your car on the road and save money. You should check it at least once per month with a gauge and every two to four weeks on average in general.

When it gets colder outside, you should check the tire pressure more frequently too. This is because cold air causes the PSI level to drop up to 5 PSI, depending on how freezing the temperatures are.

You can also learn about your vehicle and what the recommended PSI for your car is by reading the owner’s manual. This includes all specifications about your car too.