Tire Pressure Guide

Tire pressure articles, suggestions and tips to maintain proper tire inflation for a safe drive.

Tire Size Designations

Learn about prefix and suffix letters in tire size designations used to identify service conditions which may require different tire loads and inflation pressures.

How To Check Tire Pressure

Step by step guide on how to check tire pressure to keep your tires properly inflated for better fuel efficiency, longer tire life and safer driving.

Recommended Winter Tire Pressure

Guide to proper tire pressure for your tires during winter for a safe and comfortable ride on snow and icy roads.

Maximum Tire Inflation Pressure

Guide to maximum tire inflation pressure, how to find it and its proper application.

Dangers of Overinflated Tires

Learn the dangers of overinflated tires, and how to spot an overinflated tire to prevent irregular tire wear, damage or blowout.

Tire Load Range / Ply Rating

Guide to tire load range and ply rating designations that identify how much load the tire is designed to carry at its industry specified inflation pressure.

Tire and Loading Information Placard

Learn about the tire and loading information placard with important vehicle load capacity, Original Equipment tire sizes and recommended cold tire pressures.

Causes and Dangers of Underinflated Tires

Learn the causes abd dangers of underinflated tires, and how to spot an underinflated tire to prevent irregular tire wear and tire damage.

Tire Pressure and Dry Road Performance

Learn about the performance effects of properly inflated tires versus the underinflated tires on dry roads.

How To Apply Tire Load Inflation Tables When Replacing Tires

Learn how to apply tire load inflation tables to calculate proper tire pressure when replacing original equipment tires for your vehicle.

Tire Pressure for Competition Tires

Guide to high performance handling for competitive driving and the effects of adjusting tire inflation in competition tires.

Special Trailer (ST) Tire Pressure

Guide to proper tire inflation for Special Trailer tires designed to deliver on-highway service for boat and travel trailers, pop-up campers and fifth wheel trailers.

How to Service Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Guide to when and how to service tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and tire pressure sensors on your vehicle.

What is the recommended tire pressure for my vehicle?

Recommended tire pressure is set by the vehicle manufacturer based on its specifications and characteristics such as tire sizes, gross vehicle weight rating and maximum load-carrying capacity.

Where can I find recommended tire pressure for my vehicle?

You can find recommended tire pressure for your vehicle in the owner's manual, on a tire placard on driver's door jam, on inner trunk lid, in the console or on the fuel door.

How often should I check tire pressure in my tires?

Tires can lose air pressure naturally over time. Drop in outside temperature can also result in descreased tire pressure. You should check tire pressure regularly, at least once a week, to keep tires properly inflated for a safe and comfortable performance.

How to properly check tire pressure?

Check tire pressure only when tires are "cold" and have not been driven on for at leats four hours. Checking tire pressure when tires are "hot" may show incorrect tire inflation levels due to heat expanding the air inside the tires. Use quality tools like tire pressure gauge to check air pressure, and tire inflator to add air to underinflated tires.

Can I drive on underinflated tires?

It is highly discouraged to drive with low tire pressure as it not only lowers fuel efficiency and reduces tire life, but is also dangerous. Underinflated tires can overheat and break down at high speeds, which can cause a tire blowout.

What is proper winter tire pressure?

Your vehicle's recommended tire pressure should stay the same all year round in any weather. But as temperatures drop, your tire pressure can decrease about 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit because the air inside the tire condenses, taking up less space when it's cold. Check tire pressure regularly in the winter and keep it at recommended levels.

Should I inflate my tires to their maximum psi?

The inflation psi value imprinted on the tire sidewall is the maximum air pressure the tire can hold while carrying its maximum load, and not necessarily the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.

Should tire pressure be the same for all tires?

Tires on the same axle should have the same tire pressure, but some vehicles might have different recommended tire pressure settings for front and rear tires, especially when equipped with staggered tires. Refer to your vehicle's manual for recommended tire inflation pressures.

Why is my tire pressure warning light on?

If your tire pressure monitoring systems warning light comes on, it means one of your tires may have low air pressure. Check each tire, determine the cause of air pressure loss and add air if needed.

Why is my tire pressure warning light not going off?

If you have check all tires for correct tire inflation and your tires are not damaged but the tire pressure warning light stays on, there might be a problem with your tire pressure monitoring system or tire pressure sensors.

What causes a tire to lose pressure?

Tire can lose air pressure naturally over time. Leaking tire valve stems can slowly decrease tire pressure. Punctures in the tire tread will let air out even faster. Even running over pot holes can cause air to escape.

What is proper spare tire pressure?

Spare tire or temporary use tire (T125/80R15 for example) should typically be inflated to 60 psi.