When to CheckCheck your tires once a month or more. Do notforget to check the compact spare tire, if yourvehicle has one. The compact spare should be at60 psi (420 kPa). For additional informationregarding the compact spare tire, see CompactSpare Tire on page 6ā107.How to CheckUse a good quality pocket-type gage to check tirepressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properlyinflated simply by looking at them. Radial tiresmay look properly inflated even when they areunderinflated. Check the tire's inflation pressurewhen the tires are cold. Cold means your vehiclehas been sitting for at least three hours or drivenno more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to get apressure measurement. If the cold tire inflationpressure matches the recommended pressure onthe Tire and Loading Information label, no furtheradjustment is necessary. If the inflation pressureis low, add air until you reach the recommendedamount.If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing onthe metal stem in the center of the tire valve.Reācheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valvestems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirtand moisture.6-61