Basics: How To Add Air to Your Tires

It’s easy to fill up your tire. The hardest part is finding an air pump that works.

So, your tire is low. You can still drive, but you definitely should be doing something about it, and quick, before this turns into a real problem, or until you get to the mechanic. 

1 First thing: find a gas station that has an air dispenser. Be aware! Often, many of these air dispensers are broken, or semi-broken. So don’t drop all your quarters in at once. 

2 Pull up your car close enough to the air dispenser. It’s usually located on the outskirts of the gas station’s parking lot – somewhere out of the way of the gas pumps.

3 Turn on the air dispenser by feeding the machine the number of coins needed. You should hear a loud rumbling and humming noise when the pump is running. Stretch the air hose around to the tire that needs filling. 

4 Remove the valve stem caps. You’ll want to screw these back on later, so set them to the side or put them into your pocket.

5 Press the tip of the pump to the tip of the air valve. Hold it there, firmly and steadily, and listen to the rush of air as the pump fills the tire. If you hear wild spraying of air, try to steady the pump. There’s a good chance that the tip of the hose is not flush against the valve.

6 Be patient. If your tires are low on pressure, it may take you several minutes of continuous pumping to fill each tire. Once the tire that needed air looks even with other tires, you can replace the stem cap. It is not essential that you seal up the valve, but it will make your tire less likely to lose air.