How should you check tire inflation safely?

• A. Check tire pressure when tires are cold using a gauge and compare to vehicle spec.
• B. Check after driving 30 minutes to heat the tires.
• C. Inflate to the maximum sidewall rating without checking.
• D. Use visual inspection only.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to get an accurate, safe reading by measuring tire pressure when the tires are cold and using the vehicle’s specified inflation pressure. Tire pressure rises as tires heat up from driving, so checking after a drive would give you a reading that's higher than what the tires should normally have. Using a gauge to measure when the tires are cold, then comparing that measurement to the vehicle’s recommended pressure (found on the door placard or in the owner’s manual), gives you the correct target. If the reading is low, add air until the pressure matches the specification, then recheck. If it’s high, release air a little and recheck. Visual inspection alone can’t tell you the exact pressure and can miss under- or over-inflation. Never inflate to the maximum sidewall rating, because that number is the maximum the tire can safely handle under load, not the normal operating pressure. If needed, check the spare as well and keep all values consistent with the manufacturer’s guidance.