Best way to check tire pressure and inflate tires?

I check mine twice a month in my garage when the tires are cold. I use a guage with a short hose and analog readout with a reset-to-zero button. I think it cost in the $10-12 range, but that was a few years ago. I had a RadioShack digital model, but the main non-replaceable battery gave up the ghost.
I also have an airtank (about $25 at Walmart, I think) that I fill at Costco or a service station as needed. The battery inflators work, but in my opinion rather slowly. By checking mine often, very little air is needed to keep them at 42/40 psi. Don't forget to check the spare occasionally as well.

 

Either use the instructions outlined in this TSB, or check the tire pressure when the tires are "cold" on the coldest possible day:

http://www.toyotapart.com/TIRE_INFLATION_PRESSURE_COMPENSATION_AND_ADJUSTMENT_T-SB-0345-08.pdf

 

Get a decent quality analogue gauge. Check pressures when car's sat a good while, preferably overnight. Drive to your nearest convenient gas station and top them up as needed.

If the station's within a mile or two, there shouldn't be much change in pressure going that distance. Maybe just verify the first time. If pressures have risen a bit, overinflate accordingly and check/adjust the next morning at home.

Regarding gauges: I have picked up a digital gauge, and I have 2~3 analogue gauges, the stick kind. They all read about the same. The analogue ones are just easier: you don't start chasing 1/10's of a psi. Last forever too.

In lower mainland BC, Canada, at least: Chevron still has free air.

 

Most cost effective to check: Buy that $1.99 analog tire pressure gauge and check them yourself

To fill them: This is one instance I would say find a cheap air compressor and grab it. Harbor Freight Tools has these, and I'm sure Walmart does too. If you have a gas station that offers free air and is close to home, that's a good option.

 

I've had a couple of cheap inflators with gauge and both quit working so with the Prius, I want to keep a close watch on TP so found this Snap ON, $20 and free shipping. Now I just have to convince the wife to use it religiously.:thumb:

 

TP?

 

That could be toilet paper or it might be tire pressure, either way the wife needs to keep a close check.

 

After procuring a dependable air gauge stop by a tire retailer and have them fill your tires with nitrogen, once every four years...

 

A floor-style bicycle pump is cheap and quite adequate for maintaining tire pressure.

While I have a tiny 12V compressor, re-stowing the cord in its small storage space is more work than just hand pumping with the bike pump.

 

For those gas stations that charge for air, there may be a button underneath the unit that, if pressed twice, let's you fill up for free.

...The More You Know...