Psi or pounds per square inch indicates the amount of pressure an air compressor can deliver. It determines the minimum amount of air pressure required to support a vehicle or machine at its maximum capacity.
Now, you might wonder what psi best for air compressor for car tires?
Well, the amount of air pressure needed varies from vehicle to vehicle. But most heavy-duty vehicles require 100 psi for each tire, while for most passenger cars 32-35 psi will do the work.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about correct psi settings for your tires using an air compressor. Stick to the end so you don’t miss any detail!
Why Do You Need To Check Your Tire Pressure?
Checking your car tire’s Psi will benefit you, as you’ll be able to know what condition your tires are in. It’s difficult to say whether your tire’s pressure has decreased or not from the outside, so you should check your tire pressure regularly to avoid an unusual incident.
Here are 5 reasons why you need to check your tire’s psi-
- Safety
Overinflated or underinflated tires both pose a risk of losing control while driving. Improper tire psi leads to accidents like tire malfunctions, which can leave you stranded on the road or cause injury. So it’s vital to check your tire’s pressure conditions.
- Comfortable Ride
While overinflated tires will cause a bumpy ride, underinflated tires will make it difficult for you to handle the vehicle. So before you get on the road for a long trip, check the tire pressure to have a comfortable journey.
- Saves Money
Improper tire psi makes your tires vulnerable to wear and tear, which requires you to change your tires frequently, and it won’t come cheap. So, to avoid untimely tire malfunctions and unnecessary bills, check your tire pressure regularly.
- Better Mileage
If your tire psi isn’t correct, you’ll have weak gas mileage, causing more frequent gas pump trips. Whereas a properly pressurized tire will give you better gas mileage, consequently saving money.
- Car Maintenance
Correct psi for your tires optimizes performance and improves the durability of your vehicle. Bad tires caused due to psi problems reduce the potential of your car.
How To Set Air Compressor Psi Correctly?
For Setting up the psi on air compressor is super easy, just follow these steps-
- Determine Current Tire Pressure
Before setting the air compressor, you must know the tire pressure. Typical air compressors run with electricity. After determining your tire pressure, plug the compressor hose into your tire’s air valves.
Do this step immediately after removing the air caps from your tire so that air doesn’t escape.
- Attaching The Compressor To Your Tire
Once you attach the compressor to the tire, adjust the compressor regulator settings to match your tire’s PSI requirements. On most compressors, there is a lever located on the right side of the pressure regulator.
- Setting The Compressor Regulator
Most air pressure compressor regulator levers will have a locking feature. To unlock the lever, simply pull it outward. To re-lock, push it back inward. If this doesn’t work, check the user’s manual for details on the regulator lock on your compressor.
For increasing the pressure, turn the lever in a clockwise direction and vice versa for decreasing it. You may need to turn down the compressor slowly to build pressure. Make sure to lock the lever in place after you’ve set the desired psi setting for your tire.
After your tires are filled up successfully, detach the hose. Put the air caps on the valves, and you’re all set!
Tips for Maintaining Proper Psi in Your Tires
When the tires are properly inflated, it provides comfort in driving and makes your journey smooth. Moreover, it ensures the durability of the vehicle. So maintaining proper psi in your tires benefits you immensely.
Here are some handy tips for making the psi in your tires –
- Check Tire Pressure Monthly
Tires lose about one psi per month. So, you’ll have to check your tire’s pressure at least once a month to avoid deflated tires, which leads to accidents and extra costs.
- Filling Tires At Proper Psi Consistent
It’s vital you fill your tires at the recommended psi. Overinflated tires make navigation difficult, while underinflated tires can leave you stranded in the middle of the road.
- Tire Rotation
To get the full potential out of your tires, rotate your tires every 5000 to 8000 miles (12,874.75 km). You can do the rotation yourself; change the position of your tires periodically, and you’re good to go!
- Don’t Weigh Down Your Vehicle
Avoid overloading your vehicle beyond its capacity. Overloading wears the tires down faster.
- Don’t Delay Bad Tire Replacement
Don’t wait till the last minute to change your dead tires; replace them immediately.
- Keep The Tires Balanced
Mismatched tires cause immense wear and tear, not to mention the number of risks it poses. So, make sure the four wheels of your vehicle are aligned properly.
FAQs – about tire pressures and air compressor
What is a good psi for an air compressor?
Most air compressors can handle between 70–90 pound per square inch (psi).
What happens if you inflate your tires too much?
Overinflating tires cause their walls to stiffen, which results in a bumpy ride and makes navigating the vehicle difficult.
How much air should I put in an 80 psi tire?
If 80 psi is the tire’s recommended pressure, you should put 80-90 psi. But, if 80 psi indicates maximum psi, you’ll have to put in an amount less than 80.
Is 40 psi too much air for a tire?
Check the recommended psi settings for your tire to determine whether 40 psi is too much or not. In this case 35-38 psi is standard psi.
Is 100 psi enough for an air compressor?
Yes, most heavy duty air compressors operate at 100 psi.
Should all four tires have the same psi?
Not, It varies. The psi for car front and back pair tires can be different, but tires of the same pair should have equal psi.
Does lower tire pressure give a smoother ride?
Yes. Lowering the tire pressure may make the journey smooth to an extent, but underinflating your tires will make the ride uncomfortable.
Is it OK to fill tires to max psi?
No, filling tires up to max psi is strongly discouraged. As it makes braking difficult and controlling the vehicle becomes tough.
Can you adjust the psi on an air compressor?
Yes, you can adjust the psi on an air compressor using the lever on its regulator.
What Psi Should I Set My Air Compressor To Fill Tires?
The correct Psi for car tires around 32-35 psi in general but heavy-duty vehicles like trucks can take up to 100 psi for each.
Final Verdict
As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to know your tire’s condition, as it’s a vital part of your vehicle’s maintenance. Figuring out your tire pressure and filling it using an air compressor is pretty simple.
Hopefully, with our article, we’ve guided you to set up the correct psi on your air compressor for tires.