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Original poster

Car maintenance question (that I should definitely know!)

37 replies

SickAndTiredAgain · 17/01/2022 09:19

I’ll start by saying I know this is bad, and slightly pathetic!

I’ve had a car a few years, I’ve never checked the tyre pressure. I didn’t really know I was supposed to and sort of assumed that as long as I had it serviced yearly (which I have) then I’m fine.
The amber tyre pressure warning light has come on. First stupid question - is this just a pressure thing, or might the tyre have a puncture? Would that be obvious? Or do I need to add more air and then if the pressure goes down again then there’s a problem? Visually the tyres look fine and it passed its MOT a few months ago.
Second stupid question - how hard is it to inflate it if I take it to a petrol station with an air pump? Is it fairly simple and self explanatory? Are they coin operated?

I know, it’s bad, I should have more basic car maintenance knowledge! DH has never been allowed to drive due to a medical condition so he has an excuse for not knowing anything!

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 17/01/2022 09:29

Very easy.
Your car manual should tell you the pressures required (front and back pressures may be different).

Note that they may give you figures in PSI or BAR. These are different measurements (think inches v cm) so make sure you match the rightone on the pump at the petrol station.
Most air pumps are now automatic (some free/some coin operated).

On the most common type now you set the pressure on the machine and put the handle firmly onto the type valve on the wheel rim. (You'll need to remove the black valve cap first).

The pump will check your pressure and refill to the correct pressure. Once finished put the valve caps back on.
You'll also find instructions on the pump. Give it a go, it really isn't difficult Grin.

MrsWooster · 17/01/2022 09:31

Tyre machines at the garage will tell you its current pressure as well as pumping it up. They are fairly straightforward so your best bet is to have a go. Do a recce to see, but they usually take 50p so go equipped with a couple, and some pound coins. Take the little caps off the tyres first and put them somewhere precarious so you inevitably lose them keep them safe. Put thh j’ye money in the but the hose onto the tyre valve-press quite hard -and it should show the current pressure -it’ll be in the format (eg) 3.0 or 24. There should be details in your car hand book or on the wall of the tire of the current pressure in both formats. Press the trigger on the hose and the air will go in and the reading will rise-stop when it’s right and repay for other types. If you get stuck, just ask someone who’s around /doing theirs; you’ll feel a bit daft but they’ll be smug to help and you’ll never see them again.
We all did this for the first time once.

ShirleyPhallus · 17/01/2022 09:40

I actually think this is the kind of thing where if you don’t know… you don’t know. So I’m sure you’ll get people saying “oh god this is SO BASIC OP how can you not know”, but it’s just a learnt thing. I had no idea that your car had to be unlocked to open the petrol cap, until I did.

Good advice above. Also my tyre pressure is displayed on the inside of the petrol cap door too. Good luck!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
echt · 17/01/2022 09:41

Sometimes the pressure info is inside the fuel cap cover as well.

NoSquirrels · 17/01/2022 09:47

This is a ‘feels daunting but totally straightforward’ thing and as PPs have given you all the info you need I won’t repeat it.

It’s likely they just need topping up - and you should check the pressure regularly so once you’ve done it this time you’ll be sorted to make it a regular thing. If you get the warning again after you’ve topped up then perhaps there is a slow puncture you can’t see - you’ll be able to tell which tyre it is if you pay attention to the numbers on the gauge when you first try to add air. If a particular tyre has a low number it needs checking at a tyre place.

(Assuming you’ve looked well and no visible nail or anything anywhere!)

BiddyPop · 17/01/2022 09:47

Or on a sticker on the side of the door (I think driver's door, might be rear door behind driver).

Look for the reference numbers on the wall of the tyre, check against the info on the sticker (mine gives info for 3 different types of tyre that you might use, and for whether the car is light or heavily laden - 2 people or 5 people plus luggage).

Kshhuxnxk · 17/01/2022 09:52

Well done for asking for help. You aren't silly for bit knowing - I lost my first car due to seizing the engine because I didn't know to check oil and water. Can I suggest you read the general maintenance part of your car manual or contact your local garage and ask to pay for an hours time on instruction for basic car maintenance.

WouldIBeATwat · 17/01/2022 09:57

This is terrifying. Your tyres are the only bit of the car that touch the road. You should be checking them regularly (weekly) to ensure they have sufficient tread (use a 20p coin to check), the right pressure and no nails/cuts/signs of puncture. Waiting for the car to tell you/a service/MOT to do this could be fatal.

Is this not covered in the driving test anymore? It was when I passed in the late 90s.

Sausagedogsarethebest · 17/01/2022 10:06

You may want to check your tyres to make sure one doesn't have a nail stuck in it causing a slow puncture. Have a good look round each one (unless your dash tells you which tyre it is) and then roll forwards or backwards a bit so that you can check it all round.

The first time I had to check pressure and inflate I found it useful to watch some videos on You Tube showing exactly how it should be done, and how to read the machines.

DropYourSword · 17/01/2022 10:06

Well, someone's living up to their username I see Hmm

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats has given a brilliant description of what to expect. Only thing I'd add is to be aware it can make a big "fwoosh!!" noise as you connect/disconnect the air hose - could be a bit off putting if you aren't expecting it.

AwaitingSueGraysInvestigation · 17/01/2022 10:07

A puncture wouldn't necessarily be obvious. Best thing would be to get the tyres pumped up again to the correct pressure, and then check them on a regular basis. If one starts losing pressure again then you've got a slow puncture and the tyre will need replacing. (Possibly two tyres; it's generally best to replace both tyres on an axle at the same time so that they wear evenly.)

Optimum tyre pressures will be in the manual, and also (usually) on a panel/sticker somewhere on the car. In my experience they're usually either on the edge of the driver's door (i.e. visible when you open the door) or on the inside of the fuel filler cap.

Some cars' pressure warning systems will tell you which tyre is losing pressure but it depends what car it is.

CrotchetyQuaver · 17/01/2022 10:07

You can buy electric tyre inflators that plug into the 12v socket, so you don't need to do it at the petrol station if you d prefer to fiddle about at home...

AwaitingSueGraysInvestigation · 17/01/2022 10:09

Oh yeah and measures for tyre pressures are always given in two forms bar and PSI. The difference between them doesn't really matter for now it's to do with how pressure is measured -- but the important thing is to pick one of the metrics and stick with it! The machines have a button that lets you flip between bar and PSI measurements.

AwaitingSueGraysInvestigation · 17/01/2022 10:13

Sorry PP already mentioned bar/PSI Blush ignore me

Original poster
SickAndTiredAgain · 17/01/2022 10:15

Is this not covered in the driving test anymore? It was when I passed in the late 90s.

It may have been covered in my lessons but I don’t think I was ever shown how to do it - I passed in 2010 and then didn’t drive for many years.
If I’m remembering correctly there were a number of maintenance things that could potentially come up in the test, but not all of them would (like not all manoeuvres came up but there were several that could). I know I had to lift the bonnet and show them how I’d check the oil, and probably identify a couple of other things as well. To be honest if the tyre pressure had come up in the test, I’d have been able to identify the warning light, point to the valve on the tyre, and say I’d add air until it got to the right level. But I’ve definitely never actually physically done it and I don’t think that was something that I’d have had to do in the test. I probably also knew how often it should be checked, but it was about 8 years between me passing a test and getting a car and while I did get a couple of refresher lessons they just covered driving, not maintenance.
I do know it’s bad, but it’s never really occurred to me to look up how often to check tyre pressure.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 17/01/2022 10:18

There are loads of basic car maintenance videos on YouTube. Watch a few, you'll learn a lot.

BlackeyedSusan · 17/01/2022 10:23

I can recommend a foot pump from halfords for about 8 quid. It is a bit whooshy disconnecting though. But good for checking tyre pressure and pumping up at home.

If going to the petrol station:

Take someone with you to hold the hose out at full length. It has a strong retraction mechanism.

Take the dust caps off first before putting in money and put somewhere safe. This makes it more likely that you will only need one 20p.

anon12345678901 · 17/01/2022 10:25

You're checking it now and are more aware. I don't check my tyre pressures until the light comes on. The car goes for a service every year where they check the tyres. If it was coming to the end of their life, I'd replace them. The first time I did my tyres I was nervous but it is really easy, just take a wet wipe for your fingers after, twisting off the black caps can get them really dirty and you don't want that on your steering wheel. My tyre sensor went off twice within a week, same tyre, after being re inflated. When I took it to a tyre garage, they said it was a slow puncture so took it out, fixed it up and it's been fine since! So if you pump it up and it goes off again a few days later, get it checked, nails aren't always visible easily.

caulkheaded · 17/01/2022 10:29

If you do all the tyres and the light doesn’t go off (after driving for a few minutes) then it could be that the tyre pressure sensor needs replacing or the light is faulty. I’ve had the tyre pressure amber light on for three years - no garage could ever work out why until recently discovering it was a sensor issue on one tyre!

WouldIBeATwat · 17/01/2022 10:31

To be honest if the tyre pressure had come up in the test, I’d have been able to identify the warning light, point to the valve on the tyre, and say I’d add air until it got to the right level.

The issue with this approach is that not all cars have tyre pressure warning lights (none of my 4 do), and not all tyre issues will be to do with pressure. Confused

ponkydonkey · 17/01/2022 10:37

Because I'm lazy and do know how to do my tyres, check oil etc I just can't be bothered
I go to my local garage and ask them to do it 😅

IamMaz · 17/01/2022 10:42

Just to add that some of the machines now only accept credit card payments - due to Covid.
And not many are free any more...

verytiredofbeingshoutedat · 17/01/2022 10:42

I can't do my tyre pressures as am disabled, I take it to where my car is serviced (dealer service) or the local tyre service centre (which is by my supermarket) and pay then to do it for me! They charge me £20 usually! It might be that they know me well and as I'm obviously disabled. But even if you're not, they can and do help and it doesn't cost much .

Far cheaper to do it yourself - used to cost me 2 to 4x 20p pieces but if you're not confident I suggest you ask a friend to help you or ring to ask a local mechanic!

verytiredofbeingshoutedat · 17/01/2022 10:43

Also you can look up these things online on you tube and look up car maintenance for your specific model and tear car.

LessTime · 17/01/2022 10:54

@verytiredofbeingshoutedat

I can't do my tyre pressures as am disabled, I take it to where my car is serviced (dealer service) or the local tyre service centre (which is by my supermarket) and pay then to do it for me! They charge me £20 usually! It might be that they know me well and as I'm obviously disabled. But even if you're not, they can and do help and it doesn't cost much .

Far cheaper to do it yourself - used to cost me 2 to 4x 20p pieces but if you're not confident I suggest you ask a friend to help you or ring to ask a local mechanic!

That's really greedy of them! It takes a few minutes and as you are a regular customer it's not as thought they won't have had their money's worth off you.