How to Check Your Tire Pressure

Posted on August 28, 2018

How to Check Your Tire Pressure

Routine checkups at Jay Wolfe Honda keep your vehicle working trouble-free. But whether you drive a Honda Civic, Ridgeline, Accord, Pilot, or otherwise, there are a few things you need to do on your own between visits to the service department. One of those things you should know is how to check your tire pressure. It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Despite its simplicity, more than half of all drivers aren’t doing it right, or aren’t checking their tire pressures at all. We have you covered, though. Here’s a step-by-step method on how to check your tire pressure properly.

The Right Way: How to Check Your Tire Pressure

What You’ll Need
  • High-quality tire pressure gauge
  • Access to compressed air
  • Ignition key

Step 1: Check for a Tire Pressure Monitoring System warning

Turn your Honda’s ignition on. You don’t have to start the engine but the ignition needs to be on. Check the instrument cluster for an amber-colored warning light shaped like the cutaway section of a tire and containing an exclamation mark. If it’s on for more than two seconds (that’s your car self-checking its indicators) there’s a tire with low pressure.

Step 2: Manually check your tire pressures

Even if your TPMS says there’s a low tire, you need to identify which one manually. Unscrew the valve cap on one tire. Then, press your tire pressure gauge against the valve stem squarely, adjusting slightly until there’s no hissing sound of air escaping. Read the tire pressure your gauge records, then repeat. Sometimes you’ll get an inaccurate reading, which is why you should always check each tire pressure a few times. Repeat for all four tires.

Step 3: Adjust your tire pressures

Using a compressed air source, add air to your Honda’s tire until it’s at the right level. Adjust the nozzle on the valve stem like you did with the tire pressure gauge, eliminating air leakage.

How do you know if your tires are inflated to the right pressure?

Every Honda model makes it easy to know what the right tire pressure is. Simply open the driver’s door and check for a yellow and white label. On that label, Honda indicates the pressure your tires should be at for the best ride and treadwear.

How often should you check your tire pressures?

Every time you fill your Honda with fuel, you should make a point of checking your tire pressures too. But that’s a pretty lofty goal for most motorists. If you make sure to check your tire pressures monthly and when there are big seasonal temperature changes, you should be in good shape.