Maintaining tire pressure at the right level improves fuel consumption and vehicle performance by minimizing uneven tread wear. However, if you don't have a compressor, you may be wondering how you can inflate them at home; the good news is you can use a regular bicycle pump that comes with a Schrader valve adapter.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Pump
Step 1. Park your car on a clear, level surface
In this way you can move around the car without obstacles and inflate the tires; by parking on a level surface you can keep the pump balanced and use it comfortably.
- If you don't have a pitch with these characteristics close to home, park your car on the street or in your neighbor's driveway.
- Driving a car with flat tires can cause damage to the tires or deform the rims, resulting in very expensive repairs; do this only if absolutely necessary.
Step 2. Remove the valve caps
Each tire is equipped with a valve located just below the shoulder, which is located close to the rim. It is generally protected by a screw-on cap; to remove it, just turn it anticlockwise.
Caps are small items that are easily lost; to avoid this risk, place them in a sealable container, such as a bag or container with a lid
Step 3. Determine the optimal pressure
This data is generally expressed in bars or atmospheres and is reported on a sticker placed on the pillar of the driver's door; open the door and look for the sticker that indicates the ideal pressure.
- If you do not find this information or the sticker is illegible, consult the use and maintenance manual of the machine.
- In the rare case that you have neither the sticker nor the manual, you can search online.
- For some vehicles, the recommended pressure for the front wheels is different from that for the rear wheels.
Step 4. Check the pressure with a pressure gauge
Wait 3 hours after driving for more accurate data. Inspect the instrument and valve to make sure there are no traces of dust or dirt; sometimes residues remain trapped in these points making it difficult to read the values. Take the pressure gauge and do the following:
- Put it on the valve stem; press it firmly until the hiss of the air stops and then release it.
- Read the data reported on the pressure gauge; most of these instruments have a sliding bar that sticks out of the base after measurement.
- Compare the value with the manufacturer's recommended value to find out if you need to inflate the tires. Repeat the process for all wheels.
Part 2 of 3: Inflate the Tires with the Bicycle Pump
Step 1. Connect the pump to the tire valve
Take the tool and bring its nozzle over the valve stem of the tire you want to inflate. The lever on the back of the nozzle opening should touch the tube when it is in the "open" position; firmly press the connection on the valve, then raise the lever to lock everything.
- When you join the pump to the tire you should hear the hiss of the air coming out; it is a completely natural phenomenon as you engage the nozzle on the valve.
- A Schrader valve is usually equipped with a stem, at the end of which there is a thread for the cap; inside you can see a thin metal needle.
- Presta valves are the second most common model for bike pumps; they are formed by a threaded metal cylinder that extends from the stem.
- Many pumps are equipped with a Schrader adapter, also called "American valves"; this element is essential to inflate the tires of the car.
Step 2. Inflate the tires
Raise and lower the handle of the instrument steadily. Check your blood pressure at regular intervals; if it is too high, it can damage the material and compromise its integrity.
- Always respect the manufacturer's instructions to get the best results, but in general you can reach a pressure with a deviation of 0, 3 bar or atmospheres (in excess or in defect) compared to that recommended.
- The bicycle pump moves less air and at a slower speed than the compressor, which means it takes longer to inflate the car tires.
Step 3. Adjust the pressure as needed
If you have over-inflated the tires, use the pressure gauge or a pointed instrument to push the needle into the center of the valve to let the air out and consequently reduce the pressure.
- Often measures the pressure when adjusting; if you let too much air out, you have to run the pump again.
- Proceed precisely. Inflating the four tires to different pressures causes faster tread wear, negatively affecting fuel consumption and other parameters.
Step 4. Inflate the other tires
Repeat the sequence described for the other tires, checking the pressure, the amount of air and adjusting the values so that all the wheels are at the same level; when finished, take the caps from their container and screw them on the valves.
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshoot
Step 1. Do not use the pressure gauge connected to the compressor
This type of tool can give you a rough idea of the pressure; however, it is not accurate enough and wears easily, so it is better to use a separate pressure gauge.
This tool is small in size and relatively inexpensive; you can keep it in the dashboard drawer to always have it at hand
Step 2. Make sure the pump is secure
Sometimes the pump nozzle and valve stem do not come together securely, leaving gaps for air to filter through; this drawback reduces the amount of air that enters the tire with each movement.
- In particularly unfortunate cases, poor grip causes the tire to deflate faster than you can inflate it.
- You can usually correct this by removing the nozzle from the valve and then reattaching it.
Step 3. Inspect the pump tubing for leaks
Bike tools have a rather long life, but the tube of older ones may break with the passage of time; cracks let out more air than enters the tires.
Many times you can recognize a corroded or cracked pipe by simple sight or touch; if you notice any cuts, holes or damaged portions, there may be a leak
Advice
To improve performance and reduce fuel consumption, check your tire pressure every month and after any significant temperature changes
Warnings
- Excessive or insufficient tire pressure could cause serious damage to the tires, wheels and the car itself.
- Do not drive a car with flat tires, as you could irreparably deform the rims and be forced to replace them.
