How to Put Air in Tires and Signs Your Car Tire Pressure is Low

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Every car owner should know how to put air in tires. This basic skill can save you money and keep you safe on the road. When your tires have the right amount of air, your car works better and uses less gas.

Tires naturally lose air over time, even when they are in good condition. This happens slowly and can be hard to notice until the pressure drops significantly. But checking and adding air is a quick task that makes a big difference for your safety.

In this article, we will talk about how to put air in tires and some signs that your car tire's pressure is low. We will also talk about how often you should check your car tire pressure and why driving with low tire pressure is bad for your car. We gathered the information from various sources, Tuesday (16/9/2025).

Adding air to your tires is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. Before you start, you need to know the correct air pressure for your tires. You can find this information in your car's manual or on a sticker inside the driver's door.

Step 1: Find the Right Tools

Get a tire pressure gauge and find an air compressor. Most gas stations have air machines you can use. Some require coins to work. You can also buy a small air compressor for your home.

Step 2: Check When Tires Are Cold

Check and add air when your tires are cold. This means you should do it before driving or wait three hours after driving. Hot tires give wrong pressure readings.

Step 3: Remove the Valve Cap

Take off the small cap on the tire valve. Put it in your pocket so you don't lose it. The valve looks like a small metal stick coming out of the tire.

Step 4: Check Current Pressure

Press the tire pressure gauge firmly on the valve stem. Read the number that appears. Compare this number to what your car needs.

Step 5: Add Air

Connect the air hose to the valve stem. Press it down firmly. You will hear air going into the tire. Add air for a few seconds, then check the pressure again.

Step 6: Check Pressure Again

Use your gauge to make sure the pressure is correct. If you need more air, add a little more. If you added too much, press the center pin in the valve to let some air out.

Step 7: Replace the Cap

Put the valve cap back on tightly. This keeps dirt out and helps keep the air inside. Check all your tires the same way.

Knowing when your tires need air can help prevent problems before they become dangerous. Your tires might look fine, but they could still need more air. Here are the main signs to watch for.

- Tire Warning Light: Many newer cars have a warning light on the dashboard. This light looks like a tire with an exclamation mark. When this light comes on, check your tire pressure right away.

- Tires Look Flat at the Bottom: Look at your tires from the side. If the bottom part looks wider or flatter than normal, the tire needs more air. The tire should have a round shape.

- Car Pulls to One Side: When driving straight, your car should not pull left or right. If it does, one or more tires might have low pressure. This makes steering harder and less safe.

- Poor Gas Mileage: If you notice you need to buy gas more often, low tire pressure might be the problem. Tires with low air make your engine work harder.

- Bumpy or Soft Ride: Your car might feel different when driving. Low tires make the ride feel softer or bumpier than normal. You might also hear strange noises from the tires.

- Longer Stopping Distance: If your car takes longer to stop when you press the brakes, this could mean low tire pressure. This is dangerous and needs immediate attention.

Many car owners forget to check their tire pressure until there is a problem. However, regular checking can prevent many issues and keep you safe on the road.

You should check your tire pressure at least once every month. Tires naturally lose air over time, even when there are no holes or damage. Most tires lose about one or two pounds of pressure each month. Temperature changes also affect tire pressure. When it gets colder, tires lose more air. When it gets warmer, the air pressure can increase.

Driving with low tire pressure causes many problems that can cost you money and put you in danger. Understanding these problems will help you remember to keep your tires properly filled.

- Higher Risk of Accidents: Low tire pressure makes your car harder to control. Your brakes don't work as well, and your car might slide more easily. This increases the chance of accidents, especially in bad weather.

- Tire Damage and Blowouts: When tires don't have enough air, they get very hot. This heat can damage the tire and cause it to explode suddenly. A tire blowout while driving is very dangerous and can cause you to lose control of your car.

- Waste More Gas: Low tire pressure makes your engine work harder to move the car. This means you use more gas and spend more money. Proper tire pressure can improve your gas mileage by up to 3 percent.

- Tires Wear Out Faster: Tires with low pressure wear out in the wrong places. The edges of the tire touch the road more than they should. This means you will need to buy new tires sooner than normal.

- Poor Handling: Your car won't respond quickly to your steering when tire pressure is low. This makes driving less safe, especially when you need to avoid something quickly or make sudden turns.

- Environmental Harm: Cars with low tire pressure create more pollution. Your engine burns more fuel and puts more harmful gases into the air. Keeping proper tire pressure helps protect the environment.

Knowing how to put air in tires is a valuable skill that every driver should have. Regular tire maintenance keeps you safe, saves money, and helps your car perform better. Check your tire pressure monthly and add air when needed to enjoy safer and more efficient driving.