It is very important to check your car’s tyre pressure before going on a road trip or driving to work. However, many people don’t know how to do this without a gauge. Because not everyone has a gauge on hand, it’s important to know more than one way to check tyre pressure.
Is it possible to check the pressure of a tyre without a gauge? First, park your car on something flat. Then, from a distance, watch your vehicle’s tyres from the front and back. Check both sides of the car to see if any part of the tyre is sticking out, even a little bit. This means that the pressure in your tyres is low.
Why Check Your Tire Pressure?
Low tyre pressure can hurt your car and your trip in a lot of ways. It can hurt your gas mileage and make your car use more fuel. This will make you stop for gas more often, which is a waste of time and money.
Low tyre pressure can also cause dangerous accidents. When your tyre pressure is low, more weight and force are put on your tyres, which wears down the tread faster than usual. Flat tyres can be caused by short tread. In the worst cases, it can cause the tyre to blow up or fall apart, making you lose control of the car.
Tires that are too full of air are also dangerous. They make it harder to keep your grip on the road, especially when it’s wet. They can also make your ride loud and bumpy. When driving on a highway or long distance, it’s dangerous to have either too low or too high tyres.
Without a tire gauge, can tire pressure be checked?
There are several ways to check the tyre pressure on your car by hand. Here are some easy-to-follow steps you can use to check your tyre pressure when you don’t have a gauge:
1st method: Hand Pressure
If you think you left the gauge at home, don’t worry! You can easily use your hands to check the tyre pressure.
Put your hand down on the tyre. If the tyre seems soft and squishy, the tyre pressure is low. The tyre is overinflated if it feels too hard and you can’t push down even a little bit.
So, if it feels low, just pump more air into it while checking it slowly with your hand. And if it was too big, just let a little air out until it feels a little soft.
If possible, you should be able to give the tyres a little push.
2nd method: Eyeballing It
Now, this is a method that requires some patience, practise, and skill! Checking the tyre pressure by looking at it is hard, but it is possible!
First, your car should be present on a plain and level surface.
Now, from afar, watch the back and front tyres of the car.
Also, look at both sides of the car to see if any part of the tyre is sticking out. Don’t forget that you are looking for even a little bit.
Seeing this sign means that the tyre pressure is low.
Fill the tyres with more air until they are firm but not rock hard.
3rd method: PSI Check
All cars come with a PSI number for their tyres. This number is also called the Pound Force per square inch. In the driver’s manual or the door of the driver’s side, you’ll find this information. Most of the time, the number is the lowest PSI that the tyre needs to work properly. But you can change the PSI to fit your needs.
For example, the ideal PSI for minivans and sedans is between 26 and 32. But that can go up to 40 if they need to.
SUVs and pickup trucks have between 5 and 10 more PSI than smaller cars.
4th method: Cargo Check
The back tyres might get worn down depending on what you have in the back of the car.
So, if one side of your vehicle is heavier than the other, you should put more air in the back tyres. This will help spread the weight around.
Make sure you add more air after unloading cargo to get PSI back to normal.
5th method: Ride in Mud Exam
This can be funny, but it can also work. Follow these steps for the mud test:
- Mark the tyres with some kind of substance or ink.
- Then make a mark on the road by moving the car just a little bit.
- The surface should be flat, such as a sidewalk or road.
- Now, look at the path that the tyre has made. The observation will give a comparison of the number of times the surface was touched.
- Compared to other trails, the one made with a tyre with less air will be muddy and different.
- Add a little more air, and then do the test again until you get the right tyre pressure.
6th method: Thumb Calibration
Again, one standard way to check tyre pressure is to use the pressure of your thumb. The method is similar to the hand pressure method we talked about, so just follow the steps and use your thumb to check.
7th method: Mass over Wheels
Make sure the tyres are loaded as much as possible.
Tires with low pressure will change shape by 10 to 15%.
If you see any deformation, you’ll know how much air needs to be added.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you check the pressure of a tyre by hand?
Press the small dot or bead on the back of the tyre pressure gauge briefly into the middle of the tire’s valve stem. You should hear air leaking out of the tyre. Use the gauge to check how much air is in the tyres. Keep doing these steps until you’ve let out enough air to get to the right psi.
How do I know if there is enough air in my tyres?
Look for a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb to determine how much air your tyres should be. It shows the vehicle’s weight limit and information about the tyres, such as the recommended tyre pressure. The information is also in the part of your car’s owner’s manual that talks about maintenance and care.
Can I drive if the air in my tyres is low?
It is safe to drive a few more miles safely if your tyre pressure is only a little low.The tyre may fail if the pressure is too low. This can cause a blowout, which is a very dangerous event.
How long can a car go with low tyre pressure?
Low tyre pressure makes it even harder to get traction and move forward. If your tyres have low pressure, don’t drive more than 40 miles or for more than 30 minutes.
Do you need to check your tyres?
Your tyres’ life will be prolonged if you keep the proper air pressure in them. Moreover, they are much less likely to blow out and help your car drive better.
What coin do you use to check a tyre?
People have been told for years that the “penny test” is a good way to tell if you need new tyres or not. The test is done by putting a penny head in a tyre’s tread. If you can see all of Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tyres need to be changed.
Do you fill tyres with air when it’s cold?
Yes, you usually do need to pump up your tyres when it’s cold. We’ll explain why low temperatures usually mean low tyre pressure, which could make driving dangerous.
What is the normal temperature of a tyre?
Most experts say that 195 degrees Fahrenheit is the “line in the sand” when it comes to tyre temperature. After that point, the temperature will start to affect the tire’s life.
How much air should be in the tyres when driving on the highway?
The pressure should be between 32 and 40 pounds per square inch while the tyres are cold.
How do you know if the air in your tyres is too much?
When you overinflate a tyre, it gets a bulge in the middle of the tread.
Conclusion:
When the pressure is within the recommended PSI range, you can be sure that the ride will be smooth. Along with rotating the tyres, ensuring they have enough air will help them last longer. After looking at how to check car tyre pressure without a gauge, you are good to go if you don’t have the tool. For the best experience, make sure to check the pressure and do regular maintenance like wheel alignment.