When you notice that one of your vehicle's tires appears to be low in air, your first priority is typically to drive to a nearby gas station and use the air pump to fill up the tire. However, this drive risks damaging the tire if the air is excessively low or if you have to travel a considerable distance to reach the gas station. It's advantageous to be proactive about the inflation of your vehicle's tires by buying the necessary gear to air them up at home when the need arises. You don't need to be a car expert to take charge of this important task. Here are the critical items that you'll need for the job.

Air Compressor

An air compressor is an essential tool for filling up your vehicle's tires; it will allow you to fill a precariously low tire to the desired pressure in just a matter of seconds. There are a number of different types of air compressors available on the market, but you don't need to buy a product that is particularly fancy. Portable air compressors are best, as you'll be able to set the tool on your driveway next to your vehicle. This is preferable to a larger air compressor that is difficult to move, as you'd need to buy a long air hose to reach your vehicle from the air compressor's location.

Tire Nozzle

Your new air compressor won't be any help for filling your vehicle's tires until you fit it with a tire nozzle. This attachment is sold wherever air compressors are sold in your city and is easy to mount. You typically pull back a flange on the end of the air hose and snap the tire nozzle into place. When it's securely mounted, you shouldn't be able to hear any air leaking from around the flange; if this noise is audible, simply remove the nozzle and attach it again.

Tire Pressure Gauge

When you fill your tires at the gas station's air pump, the device has a built-in pressure gauge that allows you to see when you've filled each tire to its ideal pounds per square inch of pressure. Your tire nozzle won't have this feature, so you'll need to pick up a tire pressure gauge. Once you add some air to the tire, you press the gauge against the valve stem and check the reading. You can then either add more air or release some. Tire pressure gauges are available in a traditional push-out style or a modern digital display. To learn more, contact local professionals.

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