How to Fill Tires with an Air Compressor | O’Reilly Auto Parts | O'Reilly Auto Parts

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Checking tire pressure regularly and adding pressure to the tires of your vehicle is a regular maintenance task that can have a big impact on your driving safety. Tire pressure can fluctuate with variations in temperature, or can drop due to a slow leak or tire puncture that can leave your vehicle stranded. Even if your tire isn’t completely flat, low tire pressure can cause reductions in fuel efficiency and traction, and may even cause premature or irregular tire wear and shorten your tire life.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

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This tutorial demonstrates how to check tire pressure with a basic tire gauge and properly set up a portable air compressor. These procedures will be similar for most air compressors or portable tire inflators and tire pressure gauges, but be sure to understand how your tools work before getting started. Keeping your tires at the appropriate air pressure as recommended in your owners manual can help keep your vehicle driving at its best, so be sure to add regular tire pressure checks to your routine maintenance schedule.

A Nissan Rogue Sport S is parked level. Our expert plugs the compressor into the auxiliary power outlet.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Compressor

Make sure your compressor is plugged in and the necessary hose and tire chuck are attached. Determine the ideal air pressure for your vehicle’s tires.

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In three images, our expert shows the Nissan’s owner’s manual and the sticker on the door jamb that tells the recommended tire pressure.

You can typically find the tire pressure recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer in your owner’s manual, a service manual, or listed on a sticker in the door jamb or elsewhere on the vehicle.

Do It Right: If you’ve installed custom or aftermarket tires or had them installed they should always meet manufacturer recommendations. The installer should be able to provide the proper inflation level.

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A tire pressure gauge is used on the Nissan’s front passenger tire.

Step 2: Check Your Gauge

Once you’ve determined the ideal air pressure for your tires, use your tire pressure gauge to determine how much air your first tire needs.

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In three images, our expert removes the tire’s valve stem cap and attaches the compressor’s hose to the valve stem opening.

Step 3: Attach Your Tire Pressure Gauge

Remove the cap from the valve stem and attach your tire pressure gauge.

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The air compressor gauge shows the air pressure is low in the tire.

Step 4: Check Your Reading

Check the reading to determine whether or not your tire needs more air, or if air pressure is too high and needs to be released from the tire.

If the tire is low, detach the pressure gauge and attach your air compressor hose and air chuck to the valve stem.

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Our expert presses the tire chuck into the valve stem.

Step 5: Fill Your Tire

Press in directly on the chuck until you hear air flowing into the tire through the valve stem.

Do It Right: If you hear loud hissing, the chuck and stem aren’t coupled properly. The connection needs to be secured typically by making sure the chuck is at the same angle as the stem, and that it is adequately pressed in.

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Our expert checks the pressure level using the pressure gauge.

Step 6: Check Your Tire Pressure Level

Monitor your tire’s pressure level by adding air for ten to twenty seconds at a time. Use your gauge in between each time you add air to check the level until the ideal tire pressure is reached. Continue checking the pressure levels as you release air to ensure it doesn’t drop too low.

Do It Right: If you overshoot the tire pressure and it is too high, most tire pressure gauges have a pin on the end that can be used to depress the valve stem core and release some pressure from the tire. Other air pressure gauges may have a button that can be pressed to allow air to flow out.

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The valve stem cap is replaced.

Step 7: Replace Your Cap

Once your tire is at the proper level, reinstall the cap on the valve stem.

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Our expert is filling the back passenger tire with the compressor.

Repeat these steps for each tire, making sure they all have valve stem caps to prevent slow leaks or flats, and to keep road grime out of the valves.

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The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.