One thing to note is that every tire loses about 1-3psi (pounds per square inch) per month, irrespective of whether the car is being driven or not. Therefore, for optimum tire maintenance, you have to check your tire pressures no less than once a month. It is generally recommended that your tire pressure should be between 30-35psi but this varies with different factors such as weather conditions, type of tires, and type of vehicle. Some drivers can say it’s a hassle to be checking air pressure themselves and they can’t waste money at the mechanic when it is not visible flat. So this list contains a list of places you can check your air pressure and pump your tire for free. Let’s dive in.
Discount TiresFirestoneJust tiresAtlantic Tire and ServiceSam’s ClubCostco WholesaleSheetzGetgoHy-VeeQuickChek
Discount Tires
Bruce T. Halle founded Discount Tires in 1960. With his vision and determination, he has grown Discount Tires to what it is today. Discount tires now have over 1000 stores in the US. You can drive into any of those 1000 stores with a “free air check” sign in front to get your air pressure checked for free.
Firestone
The Firestone Company shot into the limelight in 1906 when it invented the pneumatic tires and sold thousands to Ford. Harvey S. Firestone founded the company and ran it until his son took over in 1932. Firestone offers free tire inspection, which includes checking the air and overall condition of the tires. They can also fill the tires with air for free.
Just Tires
Just tire is a subsidiary of Goodyear tires which is one of the foremost tire-making companies in the US. Just tires is located in Florida. It offers tire air pressure checks, tire inspection (checking for damage or leaks), and filling tires with air, all for free!
Atlantic Tire and Service
If you stay close to South Cary, Wakefield, Raleigh, Durham, and Cary, Atlantic Tire and Service opens its doors for a free air pressure check. They also provide auto services but sadly isn’t for free.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club was also founded by Sam Walton(founder of Walmart) but it operates differently from Walmart in that, it is a membership-only club that offers bulk items to its members. Sam’s Club offers free air, wheel balancing, and tire rotation but for members only.
Costco Wholesale
Costco is a membership-based chain of retail stores, it provides goods at subsidized prices to members of its club. One of the perks of being a member of Costco is free air pressure check, free tire rotation, and free flat tire repairs. Some branches do free air pressure checks even for non-members. Costco will fill your tire with Nitrogen, not compressed air.
Sheetz
Sheetz was founded in 1952. It is a chain of convenience stores that operates in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia, and is headquartered in Pennsylvania. Most Sheetz stores provide free air pumps that customers can drive up to and fill their tires with air for absolutely nothing.
Getgo
Getgo installed automated tire check machines at its convenience stores located across Pittsburgh, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia. Anyone can use the machines to check their air pressure and also fill it for free by just driving in.
Hy-Vee
Hy-vee started operation in 1930 when Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg opened their first store in Iowa, it is now raking in billions of dollars annually. Most Hy-Vee gas stations have air pumps available for free that customers can use to fill their tires themselves.
QuickChek
QuickChek is a convenience store chain with over 150 stores in New Jersey and New York. Most QuickChek stores offer free air. They have installed air pumps at their store where customers can drive in and pump their tires for free. As much as not having enough air in your tires is bad, having too much air in your tires is also bad. Therefore, one has to be careful when pumping the tires. The vehicle manual or the tire specification usually contains information on the minimum and maximum psi best for the tires. Note that, the surrounding temperature affects the pressure of the tires, the tire pressure increases when it is heated, so it is usually advised to let the tires cool before checking the air pressure.
How many years do tires last?
The life expectancy of your tires depends on a lot of factors; how far you drive, in what terrain you drive, how you drive, the type of tires, etc. Generally, the average life expectancy is usually between 5-7 years.
Every morning, how should I scrutinize my tires?
You should mostly check the air, the treads, and the sidewall of the tires.
