Do It Yourself
How To Check Tire Air Pressure
How To Check Tire Air Pressure
Checking the air pressure in your tires is something that should be done regularly. And while your Ford or Lincoln dealership is always the best place for maintaining your vehicle, your tire pressure is something that should be checked between visits, especially before long road trips. Your tires can lose up to half their pressure without looking flat, so it’s best to keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove box at all times and get into the habit of monitoring your tire inflation.
Finding the proper tire inflation level
- The maximum inflation pressure of each tire is molded into the tire sidewall as required by the government
- The operating vehicle tire inflation pressure that Ford Motor Company certifies and recommends for normal use is found on a Certification Decal or Tire Decal, usually located on the driver’s door or door pillar, or the glove box. It may also be located in the navigation under Vehicle Basics.
- Tire pressure information does NOT appear in the Owner Guide, since the government requires it to be permanently affixed to the vehicle
Checking and adjusting the tire pressure
- To get an accurate reading, your tires need to be read “cold,” meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than a mile
- Remove the cap from the tire valve and place the tire pressure gauge on it firmly. Make sure you don’t hear any air leaking. A digital gauge should give you a reading on its screen. Most other gauges will have a stick, which pops out – the highest pressure on the stick is your current tire pressure
- Remove the tire gauge and remeasure twice more for accuracy
- If the pressure is low, fill the tire with an air pump (found at most gas or service stations) by placing the end of the hose over the tire valve
- Recheck the pressure with the gauge. If the tire is overinflated, you can release air by pressing the valve inside the tire valve stem
- Once you have confirmed your tire is inflated to the proper level, replace the valve cap
- Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each of your remaining tires, including the spare
Tire replacement from the experts
When is it time to replace your tires? If you find yourself having to constantly refill your tires to keep them inflated, or if they’re over 50,000 miles old, it may be time for a new set. The Genuine Parts & Service experts at your local Ford or Lincoln dealership have the right tires for your vehicle for any situation, plus they’ll beat any competitor’s advertised tire price on the name-brands they sell, including Goodyear, Continental, Michelin and more.
They’re also the best place for any other service your vehicle needs, including tire rotations, wheel alignments and more. They can do it all in one stop and they’ll make sure your tires are inflated to the proper level too.
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Expires 5/31/2013
