In this article, I will share a complete step-by-step guide on how to put air in tires with an air compressor. It is essential for your journey!

It is happening to all of us. You come out to your car, only to find a tire flat as a pancake. But if you are prepared like me, you will not care as you will have your portable air compressor for your car. You’re just going to fill it up and drive away!

How To Put Air In A Tire With An Air Compressor

Before jumping to the actual topic, let’s first discuss the required size of air compressor, and why it is required?

It’s good for maintaining tire pressure for better fuel mileage and saving some money, better than stopping at a gas station where they charge you for air in many places!

How To Put Air In A Tire With Air Compressor – Easy Steps 2023

I’ve done my research and tried to make a simple step-by-step guide for you to put air in tires with an air compressor.

1. Check The Driver Door Sill
2. How to use Air Gauge
3. Check The Tire Pressure  
4. How to use Tire Chuck
5. Funny Incident I faced 😀
6. Turn on the Air Compressor
7. Almost Done
8. Common Mistakes To Avoid
9. Important Advice
10. Valuable Tip
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Conclusion

Check The Driver Door Sill:

First things first, 

Check The Driver Door Sill For PSI Recommendation.

You can easily find the tire pressure for your vehicle tire from the driver’s side door (see the image below).

The driver door sill sticker mentions the required front and rear tire pressure.

Generally, all the car tires need 35 PSI of air pressure for cold tires and 32 to 35 PSI for hot tire pressure, and large vehicles like trucks tractors require 100 to 110 PSI of air pressure.

Air Gauge:

Now you need to put air in your tire using portable air compressor is to check the current pressure of the tire using an air gauge.

Check The Tire Pressure:

Keep in mind; you need to know how much air pressure must go into the tire. 

It is crucial.

Because a tire gauge can tell you how much-compressed air your tires need to have added.

If you don’t put enough air into the tires, they can experience extra friction that raises the rubber’s temperature. Heat is harmful to tires and can cause damage to the steel cords inside.

On the other hand, if you put too much air into tires, you can experience performance and handling issues.

Also, many tire manufacturers state that for every 3 PSI below the recommendation, you burn 1% more fuel and add 10% extra tire wear.  

Now, first of all,

Attach your air gauge with the tire valve (As shown in the image above) and press it slightly. You will hear a sudden hissing sound from the valve sssssss……

Keep it pressed for a second or two to get the accurate measurement, and you can fill the required air pressure accordingly.

Many heavy construction vehicles need at least 100 pounds per square inch (PSI) in each tire.

Standard cars require around 32-35 pounds per square inch (PSI) in each tire. The exact amount might vary depending upon the axle load, the number of tires per axle, and weather.

When filling up the tires, try to do so when they’re cold. Cold temperatures can give you a more accurate reading. Hot tires show higher air pressure when you use the tire gauge.

If you get a flat tire while driving, wait about 30 minutes for the tire to cool.

If this is not an option, inflate the tires to 3 PSI over the recommended amount.

Tire Chuck:

Before turning on the air compressor, make sure your air compressor cord has a tire chuck on one end.

A tire chuck is an air connector that connects the tire to an air compressor that helps fill the air inside the tire (see the image below).

So you need a good quality tire chuck that fits perfectly in your tire valve; otherwise, it may fail the process. It can be as a clip adapter or as a twist ring lock.

Turn on the Air Compressor:

When I said turn on your air compressor, I remember an incident I faced a few months ago, which forced me to write this article.

Funny Incident I faced 😀

If you want to jump back to the article, you can Skip reading my incident.

Don’t we all have stories to tell about flat tires when we are out with our friends, family, or loved ones?

The same happened to me a few weeks ago. I planned to have a long drive scene with my fiancee and then a memorable candle night dinner.

(believe me, it was memorable, but not in a way I was planning for :D)

Right in the middle of the highway, my car tire started bubbling. For once, I was puzzled, but I realized my car tire was losing air and almost getting flat in a few moments.

I stopped my car on the side to see what had happened.

My fiancee asked me: “Do we have portable air compressor with us in car?”

I replied (with confidence): “Yeah baby! Don’t worry, I will inflate or change the tire in a minute.”

But as soon as I put that air compressor beside the flat tire, I started feeling nervous, knowing I had never used it before!

Neither do I know how to use a portable air compressor for the car!

My fiancee stepped out of the car to see me. At that very moment, I started sweating.

And I was standing there, with a stupid sheepish smile.

I tried to cover it up by saying: “Baby, I FORGOT how to use it.”

I was cursing myself at that moment, But it was all too late!

We both got back in the car searched this on google:

“How To Put Air In A Tire With An Air Compressor.”

The articles shown up were not very satisfying. At that moment, I made my mind I would write my complete experience in a blog.

So at least I can save others from the pain and embarrassment I went through. 🙂

Now back to the topic. Thanks for reading my entire incident.

Turn on the Air Compressor:

Usually, garage air compressors run on electrical power. Pick a power socket that can handle high voltage 12 Volts to 110 Volts. Few air compressors have options to plug your air compressor into a car’s cigarette lighter. If you use a rechargeable air compressor, you don’t need to connect it with the power outlet.

If you have an air compressor that has an option to connect to a car’s cigarette lighter, you will see as it says on the plug of most air compressors: (as shown in the image above)

“Your engine must be running when using this compressor.”

But don’t worry, because the pump has a built-in fuse, it won’t do any damage to the electronics of your car.

If you are using the air compressor for the first time, you must be wondering How To Put Air In A Tire With An Air Compressor.

First, make sure your air compressor has enough long cords so that it can fit any of your tires; you screw it onto the tire stem, lock the tire chuck, and then turn on the air compressor.

Now, please wait until the gauge is where you want it; recommended is about 32 psi, which doesn’t take all that long.

It will take somewhere around 2-4 minutes for each tire (depending on which brand of air compressor you are using)

Keep in mind; if you are using a metallic body air compressor, it gets really hot (metal parts), so be careful not to burn yourself.

If you are inflating multiple tires and it becomes hot, don’t forget to use a cloth to hold the compressor.

Almost Done:

Once the dial on the air compressor shows your desired air pressure, please turn it off.

Unlock the tire chuck; detach the air compressor cord from the tire. Now again, check the tire pressure with a pressure gauge after you are done with your inflation process to see if the tire pressure is okay or not. If okay, then you are done.

Common Mistakes To Avoid:

We all make some common mistakes when using air compressors to put air in tires. We should always avoid these.  It is essential to be aware of these mistakes to avoid unwanted danger.

– Never drive your car with a low-pressure tire until unavoidable. As discussed above, do not underinflate or overinflate your tires to maintain consistent performance.

– Don’t hesitate to call for professional help if you don’t know what to do.

– Never leave your air compressors unattended.

– Always use settings recommended by the vehicle’s manual. (Check the driver door sill heading)

– It’s also possible to utilize a pressure regulator if you’re not sure to shut off the air compressor precisely at the right moment.

– Always check if everything is compatible—power source, vehicle tire, air compressor, valve, compressor cord, and other relevant components.

– Make sure that you’re keeping yourself as well as your air compressor, your tire, and your vehicle out of harm’s way. 

Safety first!

Important Advice:

Also, check the tire after it gets refilled to find out the cause of the flat. It could be simple as a nail or complex as a warped rim or a slash on the tire. But it’s always a good idea to keep an air compressor for a car with you. At least it’ll get you to a service station on those long road trips. 🙂

Valuable Tip:

As mentioned earlier, it’s always a good idea to keep an air compressor for a car with you for multiple reasons. Not only will it save you money as in many places they charge you for air! But at the same time, balanced air pressure can give you better gas mileage.

Many tire manufacturers state that for every 3 PSI below the recommendation, you burn 1% more fuel and add 10% extra tire wear. 

You can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average—up to 3% in some cases—by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires.

Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

– FuelEconomy.gov

Conclusion:

Now when you have learned how to put air in tires with an air compressor, I must say that everyone should carry a portable air compressor in their vehicle. If you have a flat tire when you go to your vehicle, you can air it up to at least get it to a tire repair place or gas station. If you are one of those who haven’t bought an air compressor yet, go ahead and have one for your car. You may use it rarely, but believe me, it will save you from all the trouble of jacking up the vehicle and using the spare parts and all that mess. I will recommend all motorists should have one in their vehicle.