Correct tire pressure: where to find the right PSI
Tire pressure is one of the simplest things to get right and one of the easiest to get wrong. The correct number is specific to your vehicle, it is printed in a place many drivers never look, and it is not the large number molded on the tire itself.
Where to find the right pressure
Open the driver's door and look at the door jamb. There is a placard there, put on by the vehicle maker, that lists the recommended cold tire pressure for the front and rear tires. The same information is in the owner's manual. That is the pressure your tires should be set to.
The number molded on the tire sidewall is different. It is the maximum pressure the tire is built to hold, not the pressure your vehicle should run. Filling to the sidewall number commonly leaves tires overinflated, which can wear the center of the tread and make the ride harsher.
Check pressure when the tires are cold
Driving warms tires up, and warm air reads higher. For an accurate reading, check the pressure when the tires are cold, such as before you drive in the morning or after the car has been parked for a while. If you must check right after driving, keep in mind the reading will be higher than the cold figure on the placard.
What the warning light means
If the tire-pressure warning light comes on, one or more tires are low and should be checked. Do not assume it is a fault with the light. Check all of the tires, including any that look fine, because a tire can be noticeably low before it looks flat.
Why low pressure matters
A tire running low on air flexes more than it was designed to. That causes uneven wear, usually on both outer edges of the tread, and it builds heat inside the tire. Heat is hard on tires, and a tire that has been run very low may have damage that is not visible from outside. Keeping pressure at the placard number helps the tires wear evenly and last.
Air fills at the shop
Air fills are available at the shop during walk-in hours. Tell us if the warning light is on, or if you know which tire was low, and we can set the tires to the pressure on your placard.
A tire that keeps losing air
If the same tire needs air again and again, something is letting it out. Common causes include a puncture from a nail or screw, a bad valve, or a poor seal between the tire and the wheel. Adding air keeps you moving for now, but the tire should be inspected to find the leak. A small puncture in the tread can often be repaired properly if it is caught early.