How to Let Air Out of a Tire

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If your tires are overfilled with air or you need to transport them, you may want to deflate them. Both vehicle tires and bike tires have valves located in them that control the flow of air in and out of the tire. Once you find the valve stem, letting the air out of them is a breeze as long as you follow the right steps.

How to Deflate a Tire

Locate the valve near the middle of the tire between the spokes. Twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it. You should see a thin metal pin in the center of the valve. Use the tip of a screwdriver or any other small, thin tool to press on this metal pin. Air will shoot out of the valve when you apply pressure to it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Letting the Air Out of Vehicle Tires

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  1. [1] The valve is usually found between the spokes near the middle of your tire. The valve stem should look like a short 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) tube protruding from your tires. It will usually have a black or metal cap on the end of the stem. [2]
    • The cap on the stem keeps dirt and dust off your valve.
  2. Removing the cap on the valve will reveal the metallic part of the valve. The valve looks like a round hole with a pin in the center of it. [3]
    • Once you remove the cap, put it safely aside in a plastic bag so you don't lose it.
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  3. Attach a pressure gauge onto the valve on your tires and screw it into place. It should give you a readout for your tire pressure in pounds per square inch, or PSI. Check the owner's manual to see what the recommended pressure should be. [4]
    • You can purchase a tire pressure gauge at an automotive store or online.
  4. There will be a thin metal pin in the center of the valve. You can also use a pair of needle-nose pliers or another small, thin tool. Air will start to shoot out of the valve when you apply pressure to the pin. [5] [6]
    • Lift the screwdriver off of the pin to stop it from deflating.
  5. Jack your car up if you're completely deflating your tires. Completely deflating a car or truck tires without jacking up the vehicle can damage your rotors and tires. Find the jack point on the side of the vehicle and use the lever to jack the car up into the air. You can then completely remove the air from the tire safely.
    • Read the owner's manual if you're unsure of how to jack up your particular model of car.
  6. Use a pair of thin, 5 inches (13 cm) long needle nose pliers and turn the metal pin inside of the valve counterclockwise. Your tires will lose air in a quicker flow than if you just pressed down on the pin. Use this method if you want to deflate your tires quickly. [7]
    • Set the metal pin aside in a plastic bag so you don't misplace it.
    • Remember to screw the pin back into the valve once you're done.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Deflating a Bike Tire

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  1. The valve will look like a long stem protruding from your tire. On the end of the stem, there will be a cylindrical cap. Turn the cap counterclockwise until the cap is loose, but don't remove it completely. [8]
  2. You can usually find the recommended pounds of pressure, or PSI, for your bike tires on the inner part of the tire. Press the end of the tire pump hose onto the end of the valve after you loosen it. Flip the lever on the backside of the tire pump and read the gauge on the pump to see what the pressure level is in your tires. If they are overfilled, you should release some air from them. [9]
  3. If your tire is overfilled and you want to deflate it, you'll need to remove the pump first. Flip the switch on the back of the pump to the up position and wiggle the pump off the valve.
  4. Pressing down on the cap once it's loose will release the air from the tire. You should hear and feel the air shoot out of the valve as you press down on the valve cap. [10]
  5. If you want to remove the air from the tire quicker, place it on the ground and push down on it. This will shoot the air out of your tires faster than if you just pressed down on the valve cap. [11]
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      References

      1. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      2. ↑ https://itstillruns.com/let-air-out-car-tire-7196948.html
      3. ↑ https://www.ppmc-transport.org/let-air-out-of-a-tire/
      4. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/check-tire-pressure.php
      5. ↑ https://www.ppmc-transport.org/let-air-out-of-a-tire/
      6. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      7. ↑ https://www.ppmc-transport.org/let-air-out-of-a-tire/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_XmNhupPo&feature=youtu.be&t=28s
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNU0RwAWL4c&feature=youtu.be&t=2m44s
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_XmNhupPo&feature=youtu.be&t=36s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_XmNhupPo&feature=youtu.be&t=45s

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To let air out of a tire, start by removing the cap from the valve located on the side of your tire between the spokes. Next, use the tip of a screwdriver to push in the thin metal pin in the center of the valve and let the air rush out. Alternatively, you can use needle nose pliers to push in the pin. In order to deflate the tire even faster, use pliers to unscrew the metal pin in the valve. However, make sure to put the pin back in when you’re done! For tips on how to let air out of a bicycle tire, read on.

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