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How to check tyre pressure at a petrol station?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 3 industry sources
To check your tyre pressure at a petrol station, locate the air machine (usually near the forecourt edge), enter your target pressure, then press the hose firmly onto each tyre's valve stem in turn. Most UK petrol stations have a digital air machine that both reads and inflates to your chosen pressure automatically.
Before You Start: Find Your Correct Pressure
Check your car's placard:
Your recommended tyre pressure is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door frame, in the fuel filler cap, or in your owner's manual. It is given in PSI or bar and often differs between front and rear tyres.
Note load variations:
Many cars specify a higher pressure when carrying a full load or towing. Check the placard for both the standard and laden figures before you start.
Check cold where possible:
Tyre pressure rises as tyres warm up with driving. Readings are most accurate when the car has been stationary for at least 30 minutes, so try to check before a long journey rather than after.
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Step-by-Step: Using the Air Machine
Pay if required:
Most UK petrol stations charge around 20–50p for the air machine, though supermarket forecourts (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons) are legally required to offer free air and water to customers who buy fuel.
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Enter your target pressure:
On digital machines, use the + and – buttons to dial in your required PSI or bar figure before attaching the hose. Analogue dial machines show a live reading as you inflate, so you stop manually.
Attach the hose firmly:
Remove the dust cap from the tyre valve, then press the hose connector straight onto the valve stem. A firm, straight connection prevents air escaping — a hissing sound usually means the seal is off-centre.
Digital machines inflate automatically:
Most modern forecourt machines will inflate or release air until your target pressure is reached, then beep to confirm. Repeat the process for all four tyres and refit each dust cap.
Common Issues and Tips
Over-inflated tyres:
If the machine shows pressure higher than your target, briefly press the valve core with a small tool or the back of the hose connector to release a small amount of air, then re-check.
Don't forget the spare:
If your car has a full-size spare, check its pressure at the same time — a flat spare is useless in an emergency. Most spare tyres require the same pressure as your rear tyres.
Correct tyre pressure improves fuel economy:
Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can raise fuel consumption by up to 3%. Keeping pressures correct is one of the simplest ways to spend less at the pump.
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Finding a Station Near You
Supermarkets offer free air:
Supermarket petrol stations (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons) are required to provide free air and water to fuel-buying customers, making them a cost-free option for tyre checks.
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Compare fuel prices while you're there:
CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol and diesel prices at 4,000+ UK stations updated every 30 minutes, so you can find the cheapest nearby station that also has free air facilities.
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Sources
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