How to Inflate Your EV's Tyres: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your tyre pressure warning light is on — now what? Here's how to inflate your tyres properly with the on-board pump, from finding the 12V socket to the final calibration drive.

A tyre pressure warning light doesn't mean panic. If you've been wondering how to inflate a car tyre, or how to pump up a tyre at home, the steps below are simpler than you'd think. It means your car has noticed a tyre that needs attention. With the right steps, you can sort it out in a few minutes — useful on any Australian road, from the city to the outback. Here's the complete guide to inflating your tyres, from reading the warning to driving away with correct pressures.

Read what the warning is telling you

• If all tyres read low, it's usually a sign of cold weather or normal long-term pressure loss — pressure drops naturally over time, and faster when temperatures fall.

• If only one tyre is low, it may indicate a slow leak from a nail or similar damage. Check the tyre by eye, and if you see damage, have it inspected and repaired rather than just topping it up.

Either way, the fix is the same: bring the tyre up to the standard pressure. Knowing how to check tyre pressure is the first skill here. You'll find the standard pressure on the tyre pressure label on the B-pillar, behind the driver's door.

Step-by-step: inflating with the on-board pump

1. Find the pump and the power socket. The inflator lives in the vehicle tool kit — the whole tyre inflation process starts here. Connect its power plug to the 12V socket in the cabin — check the owner's manual for the exact location, as it varies between models. 

2. Attach the hose to the tyre. Unscrew the valve cap on the tyre, push the pump's connector onto the valve and twist it to lock. 

3. Watch the gauge while filling. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge as the pump runs. Because removing the nozzle lets a little air escape, stop slightly above the standard pressure. The small loss when you disconnect brings it back to the right figure. 

4. Disconnect and replace the cap. Pull the connector off and put the valve cap back on. 

5. Calibrate by driving. Drive for about 5 kilometres at 30 to 80 km/h, so the system re-reads the pressures. If the warning light stays on, keep driving at around 40 km/h for a little longer — it clears once the sensors update.

Filling a tyre typically takes one to three minutes, with some noise from the pump — that's normal.

If the pressure is too high

Over-inflated tyres reduce ride comfort, so if you've overdone it, let a little air out. With the nozzle removed, press the small metal pin in the centre of the valve. Watch the gauge until the pressure drops to the standard value.

A few things worth knowing

• Pressure rises as tyres warm. After driving, tyre pressure naturally increases with temperature — a useful fact when you're using a tyre pump for cars on a hot day. It's normal physics, not a fault — always set pressures when the tyres are cold.

• Under-inflation wears tyres faster. Low pressure means more flexing and faster wear, so don't leave a low tyre for long.

• Not every car comes with a pump. If your tool kit doesn't include one, a service station air pump or a nearby tyre shop will do the job just as well. If you often drive in remote areas, or take the car on long outback trips, a portable pump is a worthwhile addition to the boot.

The bottom line

Inflating a tyre is a five-minute job once you know the steps: check the warning, find the standard pressure on the B-pillar, fill to just above it, and drive to calibrate. With these car tyre inflation tips, you'll handle it confidently. Do that, and you'll never be stranded by a soft tyre again — wherever the road takes you.