Car maintenance question (that I should definitely know!)

[SickAndTiredAgain]

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!

I know how to do it but worry so I do the lazy thing and book it for tyre checks. Most tyre places do them for free - Halfords and kwick fit are who I normally use. They take about 30 mins if you book in advance and check treads and alignment at the same time.
If I had to pay I wouldn't use them.

You've had some great advice here, it's a bit daunting but really simple once you've done it!

One thing I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned: my tyre pressure warning light doesn't turn itself off once you've topped your tyres back up. There is a button inside the glove compartment you have to press to reset it so worth checking your manual if the light stays on after you've done them.

Oh yeah good point @Mizydoscape

Mine is reset via in the dashboard screen menus but same thing. It gets you to confirm that the tyres are back up to recommended pressures.

Hi,

Firstly don't feel bad for not knowing, neither did anyone else until they found out! My stepdad showed me all of this sort of thing when I learnt to drive but I have plenty of friends who wouldn't know.

I'm probably duplicating what everyone has said anyway but -

Find the correct pressure from sticker on door rim (mine is passenger side on the bottom, the rim on the main car body that you only see when the door is open) , or from your manual

The machines are usually either free or 50p, I'd have a couple of 50p's so you don't feel rushed and can make sure you do all of them

Remove your black caps all round and put in your pocket

Set the tyre pressure it will ask for BAR or PSI and you put the figure up or down with the plus/minus button

Money in and you will hear it switch on

Take the attachment, looks a bit like a long metal pipe attached to a hose, the end has kind of a hole on it, you fit that snug over your tyre valve and when it's in the right position you will hear it inflating your tyre. The machine will beep when it's reached the correct pressure so you move to the next one, you don't have to be able to see the machine

The hose might not feel long enough you have to give it a good pull round to get round the far side. I do my front two with it pulled over the bonnet end then pull it round the back way for the back two...if that makes any sense. If you need to pull your car a bit closer just do that, you see plenty of people having to adjust a little bit

Once you've been all the way around don't forget to put all your caps back on (I've found a full set on the ground before when doing my tyres at the garage someone must have just headed straight off and forgot them!)

I know you can maybe get it done for you in different places but, I think it's one of those things that it's just good to know how to do. Also, it affects how your tyres wear and how they grip the road so if it's important to keep a check on the pressure and I think you'll do it more regular if you can pop and do it yourself rather than have to go somewhere for it done.

I'd second watching a you tube video if poss, it might just help you not feel nervous of going the first time, then once you've done it once I'm sure you will be fine!

www.kwik-fit.com/tyres/information/tyre-pressure-search this will tell you what pressure to do your tyres.
Pull up quite close to the air machine. Take the valve caps off the tyres and put them in your pocket. Set the machine to the right pressure using the buttons on it. Clip the air hose onto each valve until the machine beeps. Screw the valve caps back on. I keep baby wipes in the glove compartment for after jobs like this.
Bear in mind that your front and rear tyres may have different pressures.

Have you looked under the flap in the boot to see if you have a portable inflator - my last three cars have because a spare wheel is an optional extra now - have a look for a spare wheel while you're in there

The inflator plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. Mine looked a bit plasticky, but they inflated a tyre from quite low in a couple of minutes - I had a slow puncture and needed to pump it up a couple of times before I realised that's what it was.

@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!

@verytiredofbeingshoutedat that’s very expensive, where abouts are you as I / I’m sure other MNers would be happy to do it for you?

Hi @Pyri
That's very sweet of you but I don't mind this. It's not expensive in my book at all as mechanics at dealership hourly prorata labour charge is far higher than they ever charge me. It's maybe once a year in addition to when it's done in my annual car service. (Also cheaper than ruining tyres or not so much more than petrol costs someone would incur driving to me for a special journey)

I have friends who would do it for me if I asked but as a disabled (& working) adult I do love my autonomy! ....

Besides irl by the time friends are free and all the faff in arranging to rely on someone else , with all our DCs and cooking teas etc , I prefer to just stop off myself to get it done when it occurs on the way home or when I'm at the supermarket by tyre place already.

I was just trying to reassure OP there are different options and it's ok & not that expensive in scheme of things to ask her local mechanic / service place to do it- my dealership do a £40 winter service to put in antifreeze top up waters, oil etc check and do tyres as well in mid year winter service check so it depends on what I need and when.

• Find out your PSI levels - should be in your handbook or Google May tell you. Usually between about 28 and 35 PSI
• Go to the tyre machine, press the up/down arrows for the correct PSI
• Put money in, you’ll hear it start
• Take the valve caps off your tyres, and press the inflator into the valve and you’ll hear it slowly inflate.
• When you hear a beep, it means it’s finished and full. Take the inflator off and do the next tyre

Easy peasy!

What helps is - especially long journeys - check your FLOWER
Fuel
Lights
Oil
Water
Electrics
Rubber (tyres)

It’s handy as a car owner how to check all the above!

@WouldIBeATwat

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.

Completely OTT to check tyre pressures every week FGS

Oooh well I also think checking tyre pressure each week is a bit excessive or even every month. I'd want to do it before a big drive but really I just keep an eye on them

However iwould is actually right . Did a Google search and - read this....

www.utires.com/articles/car-tires-lose-air-time-find/

So leaving car stationary like we all have during covid WFH periods of you have wfh for long periods and also temperature drops can affect tyre pressure

Did not know that. (My tyres usually get topped up twice a year and really aren't losing much pressure nor unsafe when checked. But ooooo.)

What helps is - especially long journeys - check your FLOWER

Is this a euphemism