One of the most popular ways to travel in the U.S. is definitely road trips. Driving from city to city, you can easily cover anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred miles a day. Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for ensuring everyone’s safety on the road.
These days, most cars display their tire pressure on the dashboard. If you notice any issues with your tire pressure, you can head to a nearby Costco in the U.S. They usually have a free self-service air station located either to the left or right of the main entrance. Simply set the desired pressure, attach the hose, and it will automatically inflate your tires to the correct level.
In this article, we’ll cover what constitutes healthy tire pressure and how to properly inflate your tires!
What’s the recommended tire pressure?
Tire pressure that’s too low or too high can be dangerous. If the pressure is too low, the sides of your tires will rub against the ground while driving. If it’s too high, the contact area between the tire and the road becomes too small, making it easier to skid, especially in rainy or wet conditions.
It’s recommended to keep your tire pressure around 35 PSI when the car is cold, and about 38 PSI when the car is warm. Avoid going below 35 PSI or above 42 PSI for optimal safety.
Costco Tire Inflation Station in the U.S.
On the left or right side of Costco’s main entrance, as you drive through the parking lot, you’ll usually find a self-service air station.
Typically, a Costco will have two to three air stations. As shown in the image below, look for a tire symbol with the word “AIR” on it. That’s the one!
Step 1: Set your desired tire pressure.
This Costco machine is super simple to use, basically foolproof. By the time you arrive at Costco, your car is usually already warmed up, so I typically set the tire pressure to 38 PSI. The process is easy—just press the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons on the display to adjust the pressure.
Step 2 Pick up the inflation hose
After setting the tire pressure, there will be a green hose next to the tire pressure station. Just pick it up.
Step 3 Remove the tire valve cap
There is a valve cap on the tires inflation hole, so remember to remove the cap; otherwise, the air pump nozzle cannot be inserted.
Step 4 Inflate
In the final step, simply insert the end of the green hose into the air valve of your car tire, and it will automatically inflate your tire to the pressure you set. Once it reaches the desired pressure, the air station will emit a beeping sound, indicating that the inflation is complete.
Isn’t it super easy~~~
Besides COSTCO, are there other places to inflate tires?
When I was in the United States, I always went to COSTCO because it was self-service and free.
However, if there really isnt a COSTCO near where you live, you can check gas stations; some gas stations have pay air pumps, which usually allow you to pay by card and are very convenient.
Thank you all for reading this article. If you have any questions, you can check out my travel series about the United States or message me on my Instagram ~~
