Save Money on a Move By Checking Your Tire Pressure

Keeping our tires at the right pressure is a good idea all of the time, but it can be especially useful during a move. We are trying to save every penny we can to make sure our budget will fit with our new lives after a relocation. Whether you are renting a moving truck or using a personal vehicle to make a move, checking the tire gauge beforehand can save you some money.

Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%. With the gas prices these days, that can make a huge difference. Also, taking care of your tires lowers maintenance costs as well. All you need is to do is go to your gas station to get easy and free (or very close to free) tire pressure self-service.

Checking your Tire Pressure is Easy!

Step 1: The Tire Gauge

We recommend that you purchase your own tire gauge to check your tires. There are gauges available at air pressure station at gas stations, but these are often inaccurate.

You can buy a gauge for $14 to $15 at just about any auto parts store, and it is small enough to fit in your glove box. It will last pretty much forever, and provide you with the convenience of checking your tire gauge at home.

Step 2: Checking the Pressure 

The gauge measure the pressure in your tires by PSI, pounds per square inch. Larger vehicles have a high PSI, smaller vehicles have a smaller PSI. Check your owner's manual to see what PSI your tires should be at or most of the time the PSI specifications are listed on the driver's side door on a small sticker. If you aren't sure what your PSI should be, you can ask a mechanic for their recommendations.

Important Note: Never have your PSI 5 more or 5 less than what is recommended. It can be dangerous to you and your vehicle, causing unnecessary wear. You should always try to have it at the recommended level for maximum fuel economy.

Before you check your tires, you will want your vehicle to be cold. This means that you should not have driven on them for at least three hours. If you need to go to the gas station to use their gauge, make sure the gas station is as close as possible, preferably 5 miles or less away. If you have the time, it may be a good idea to fill up your gas tank or hang-out for a couple minutes to let the tires cool off before checking the pressure.

To actually take the pressure, place the air pressure gauge on the tire's nozzle, or the valve stem. This is a pencil-width nozzle on the side of the tire, and it will be obvious what it is when you see it. Place the gauge evenly onto the valve stem, it is normal for some air to escape making a hissing sound. Once you have the gauge firmly down on the gauge stem the flow of air will stop and you'll be able to get a gauge reading. The gauge reading will be in PSI, either in digital form or a metered stick, depending on the model of tire gauge you are using.

Step 3: Adjusting the Tire Pressure

To fill your tires you will need to park your car centered on the source of air. The hose will need to be able to reach the vehicle's tires. You can move if your car if the hose will not reach all of your tires, depending on how you park. The air meter usually costs 50 cents, but sometimes it is free. We recommend trying to find a station that does not charge for the service.

First, you will want to remove all the caps from the valve stems. Next you will either check your tire pressure or refer to your notes that let you know how much air is in the tires. Start with the tire that needs most air.

Fit the air nozzle onto the stem until you here the air of your tire stop leaking. Apply firm force to make this happen. Next you will squeeze the air nozzle to start filling the tire. As you fill the tire take breaks frequently between short bursts of air to check the gauge of the tire.

After you have filled the tire to correct pressure remove the hose and replace the stem cap. Repeat with all of your tires.

Once you've completed all four tires you are all done! You can hit the road knowing you are getting better gas mileage, and your vehicle is preforming optimally.