Home » How To Find Out The Right Tire Air Pressure For Your Car In 30 Seconds

How To Find Out The Right Tire Air Pressure For Your Car In 30 Seconds

Man Filling Air In The Tires Of Car (inflating Tire)
ADVERTISEMENT

It’s that time of year again, when the weather is cooling down and yellow warning lights that look like baseball bats dropped in punchbowls start appearing on dashboards. Yep, a gas’s pressure drops as temperature drops, so your tires might be a little bit low on pressure, not enough to tell at a glance but potentially enough to set off your tire pressure monitoring system warning light. No big deal, because even if you don’t know what pressures your tires should be running, finding those few numbers should take less than a minute. This is gonna be a super simple story, but sometimes simple can be helpful.

You won’t find this information on the sidewall of a tire because sidewalls display the maximum pressure of the tire, not the recommended tire pressures from the car’s manufacturer. Inflating tires to the maximum pressure they can hold may have undesirable effects on a vehicle’s handling. Overinflation can reduce a tire’s contact patch and therefore its grip on the road, and running the same pressure in all four tires on a vehicle calling for staggered tire pressures may change the handling balance of the car.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

Instead, you’ll find your tire pressure on a placard inside your vehicle, usually in the driver’s door jamb. In fact, it’s a federally mandated legal requirement, as FMVSS 110 section 4.3 states:

Each vehicle, except for a trailer or incomplete vehicle, shall show the information specified in S4.3 (a) through (g), and may show, at the manufacturer’s option, the information specified in S4.3 (h) and (i), on a placard permanently affixed to the driver’s side B-pillar. In each vehicle without a driver’s side B-pillar and with two doors on the driver’s side of the vehicle opening in opposite directions, the placard shall be affixed on the forward edge of the rear side door. If the above locations do not permit the affixing of a placard that is legible, visible and prominent, the placard shall be permanently affixed to the rear edge of the driver’s side door. If this location does not permit the affixing of a placard that is legible, visible and prominent, the placard shall be affixed to the inward facing surface of the vehicle next to the driver’s seating position.

Indeed, if you look in the driver’s door jamb, you’ll see a sticker that looks like this. Simply find the tire size your vehicle is using — for example, 205/50R17 — grab the recommended pressure off that line, and now you know what your manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure actually is.

Img 6104

ADVERTISEMENT

Some European cars, like my 2006 BMW 325i, have more complex tire pressure labels, but they’re more complex for a reason. See, tire pressures are often a tradeoff between load capacity, comfort, and high-speed stability, so some automakers give you a choice of pressures depending on what you’re carrying in your vehicle. If you’re frequently running at racetrack speeds or carrying a full load of passengers and luggage, use the higher set of pressures for your tires. Otherwise, stick to standard.

325i Tire Pressure Label

Remember to set tire pressures cold, meaning before you’ve driven your vehicle any meaningful distance. Oh, and if you have a vehicle with tire pressure monitoring, you may have to manually reset the tire pressure monitoring warning lamp using the procedure in your owner’s manual. Once that’s done, not only should you get better fuel mileage, you’ll also benefit from better handling, more even tire wear, and reduced risk of tire failure compared to underinflated tires. So, now that you know, go forth and set your pressures properly. Chances are, you’ll be glad you did.

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

Relatedbar

ADVERTISEMENT

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on reddit
Reddit
Subscribe
Notify of
46 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
TXpedition
TXpedition
15 days ago

When I put the new shoes on my FJ, I did the chalk test and found out it liked 34 PSI instead of the 32 psi it had on the door jamb.

LOGGATO
LOGGATO
15 days ago

As an autocrosser, the last thing we recommend is to look at what the manufacturer suggests for handling and tire wear.

Last edited 15 days ago by LOGGATO
Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
16 days ago

This is all very “tiring”…ha ha

Greensoul
Greensoul
17 days ago

I would be thrilled if my wagon would tell me which tire needs air when the TPS light goes on. It always seems to be the last tire I check!

The Schrat
The Schrat
17 days ago

Some older motorcycles need higher pressures on modern tyres than they did on the old bias plys. My airhead called for 26 psi front/29 psi rear, but it’s generally recommended to go 6 psi higher for both.

Martin Witkosky
Martin Witkosky
17 days ago

Remember to set tire pressures cold, meaning before you’ve driven your vehicle any meaningful distance.

I also tend to check mine when it’s overcast or after the sun’s gone down to prevent artificially high readings on one side of the car as a result of being directly in the blazing sun. I’ve found many times if I did set my pressures mid-day in the summer, that later on the side that was in the sun is now lower then the other as a result of cooling more.

Balloondoggle
Balloondoggle
17 days ago

I used to have this argument with the quick oil change guys all the time. My Tracker wanted 25psi and they’d always put in 35psi. It was like trying to guide a pingpong ball down the interstate, it got so bouncy.

Mrbrown89
Mrbrown89
17 days ago

When I got my classic Beetle, it felt very “heavy” from the front. When I discovered the sticker for the tires (weeks later) that called 19 PSI for the front tires, I was amazed to see such a low number.

The car had 30 PSI all around, adjusted and wow, what a change on the way the car drove.

Sean Ellery
Sean Ellery
17 days ago

Or you can read the car manual…

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
17 days ago
Reply to  Sean Ellery

No one reads the manual but you and me.

JShaawbaru
JShaawbaru
17 days ago
Reply to  Sean Ellery

But why take the time to open up the manual, look up where the tire pressure specs are, and then find that page in the manual, when there’s a thing right inside the driver’s door that tells you what you need to know?

Unless you mean instead of reading this article, but it’s a little late for that.

Torque
Torque
16 days ago
Reply to  JShaawbaru

Reminds me it would be a great idea to include a small plaque or include the oil quantity needed on the oil cap. That’s the most frequent time I find myself 2x the man-u-el 🙂

TOSSABL
TOSSABL
16 days ago
Reply to  Torque

I use a paint marker to write the filter # and oil quantity on the radiator crossmember.
-an old wrencher I greatly respected wrote timing info, dates, even specific starting tips on the underside of the hoods of his many 56 Ford trucks. Helped us immensely getting them running for auction after he passed. Thanks, Jim

Torque
Torque
16 days ago
Reply to  TOSSABL

Good ideas Tossabl

TOSSABL
TOSSABL
17 days ago

Had the TPS light pop on last week in the work van. As it weighs ~8500 lbs, and was lifted by Quigley to become 4wd, I get rather concerned if all four feet aren’t planted firmly.
Given that I burnt out a Campbell Hausfield mini compressor out a couple years ago(rear tires take 80psi), I went and bought fittings so I can fill the tires from nitrogen tanks I carry anyway. Gonna fill my car’s tires too—just because I can

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
17 days ago
Reply to  TOSSABL

I use an 80% nitrogen mix.

Balloondoggle
Balloondoggle
17 days ago
Reply to  Captain Muppet

Me too, straight from atmosphere so it’s organic nitrogen. Sometimes I’ll even go with the artisanal nitrogen at the tire store. Nothing but the best for my car!

Goffo Sprezzatura
Goffo Sprezzatura
17 days ago
Reply to  Captain Muppet

So…I get the joke, but you guys know there’s a difference right? Just like the properties of steel can be changed with a small percentage of alloy…

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
16 days ago

I know that in F1 the inconsistency of using air in the tyres would lead to measurable differences on handling and lap times.

I also know that I couldn’t tell the difference when driving.

Derek van Veen
Derek van Veen
17 days ago

What if you are going from run-flats on a 17″ wheel to lower-profile non-run-flats on an 18″ wheel?

Brandon Forbes
Brandon Forbes
17 days ago
Reply to  Derek van Veen

Yeah the above is only useful for factory wheels, if you’re going up in size then you’ll kinda have to play with it but definitely on a lower profile tire you’re going to want to up the pressure.

Craig
Craig
17 days ago

My ’13 Equinox and wife’s ’14 Equinox both state 35 Psi even though hers
is a FlexFuel and mine is not. We seem to get good comfort and low wear at that pressure. I got pairs of tires a couple of years apart a few years ago; hers are still good in tread depth and integrity, as are mine. I’ve put about 30k miles on mine since purchase in late-2016, hers has more, but they’re both sitting on good rubber. TPMS keeps us on top of the situation, and we maintain accordingly. Great to have on-vehicle monitoring as opposed to jumping out with a gauge all the time. I just roll up to my local Discount Tire, set the pressure, push Start, and inflate. Pump and vehicle confirms it. Easy-peasy.

Paul E
Paul E
17 days ago

I think that if Dr. Phill were supervising tire inflation, the good doctor would be haranguing me, telling me that I don’t check often enough, my dog doesn’t hunt, my inflation game is weak and that I should man up and air up, all in front of a studio audience.

Last edited 17 days ago by Paul E
Collegiate Autodidact
Collegiate Autodidact
17 days ago

Locations of such information may vary on older cars. On my 1969 VW bus and 1983 Mercedes 300TD it’s located on the inside of the gas filler flap/lid and on my late and lamented 1985 VW Jetta it was located on the rear passenger doorjamb. And I’ve seen the information on the front passenger side doorjamb (on some older Japanese cars.)

WaCkO
WaCkO
17 days ago

My 2014 pathfinder has a tpms system that the car honks when you get to the correct pressure. I forget how you activate it though…
I have to see if my 2024 EV6 has this too.

Balloondoggle
Balloondoggle
17 days ago
Reply to  WaCkO

Nice trick!

Ranwhenparked
Ranwhenparked
17 days ago

Look, all I know is, the most important thing is that the fronts need to be 10 lower than the rear

H T
H T
17 days ago

The doorjam sticker in my S5 (265-30R20) says 45 psi front and rear. The dealer suggests 39 front 33 rear and it’s infinitely better that way.

Last edited 17 days ago by H T
Angrycat Meowmeow
Angrycat Meowmeow
17 days ago
Reply to  H T

My S5 and Q7 both list the “fully laden” pressures on the door jamb but don’t list any of the other possible configurations in the manual. After the umpteenth time of pulling up the manual PDF on my phone, I used a sharpie to write in the “normal” pressures on the door jamb stickers.

Pat Rich
Pat Rich
17 days ago

Reminder that if you have moved from a P metric rated tire to an LT, that your tire pressures will go UP with your new LT rated tires.

Calculate here
https://tiresize.com/pressure-calculator/

Mine went from 32 (door jamb) to 38 psi. LT rated tires need more air for a given load, so the pressure goes up.

If you have an SUV or truck and you’ve upsized your tire to 33 or larger, chances are you are on an LT. Most stock heavier trucks are already on LT

Last edited 17 days ago by Pat Rich
Scoutdude
Scoutdude
17 days ago
Reply to  Pat Rich

That’s a nice calculator. It not only applies to LT tires but any time you use a tire that differs in size, or load rating from that on the placard.

Yngve
Yngve
17 days ago
Reply to  Pat Rich

I was just going to comment on this. After having my truck serviced recently, I noticed that there was a lot more tire roar. I assumed it was just the result of the tires (BFG TA/KO2 LT) wearing, but then noticed that the tires had been aired down to 36 PSI at the shop. I do a lot of towing, and had been running them at 51 PSI cold (max load for these tires is at 65 PSI).

Dodsworth
Dodsworth
17 days ago

I had a 2015 Nissan Murano with a unique feature. When airing up a tire the horn would beep when it hit the correct pressure. I jumped out of my skin every flipping time.

WaCkO
WaCkO
17 days ago
Reply to  Dodsworth

Ha I just posted my 2014 pathfinder sl does that.. i didn’t read the comments before posting

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
17 days ago

I already have too much pressure in my life.

TOSSABL
TOSSABL
17 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

Right?
-HVAC Lyfe, yo!
😉

Jdoubledub
Jdoubledub
17 days ago

What’s everyone’s prescribed pressure? My Fiesta ST calls for 39psi on the front and the ride is a bit…firm.

MATTinMKE
MATTinMKE
17 days ago
Reply to  Jdoubledub

My Civic Si wants 33 psi front, 32 rear. Just filled it today (again) since the light was on (again).

I Heart Japanese Cars
I Heart Japanese Cars
17 days ago
Reply to  Jdoubledub

My 04 Highlander says 33 psi front and rear for stock 17″ tires. I put 35 psi in and they still feel soft and squishy to me.

TOSSABL
TOSSABL
17 days ago
Reply to  Jdoubledub

60 front/80 rear
strap in: it’s gonna be a bumpy ride…

WalmartTech
WalmartTech
15 days ago
Reply to  Jdoubledub

30PSI for my Lucerne, 36PSI for the family Grand Caravan, 35PSI for dad’s RCSB Silverado, and 32PSI for our spare Journey.

Euro Beat
Euro Beat
17 days ago

chalk

William Truex
William Truex
17 days ago
Reply to  Euro Beat

I agree, chalk is the answer for those of us who have significantly upsized tires for off roading. I run 285/70-17 and the door jamb shows 37 psi. On my 2 door wrangler, 28-30 is my street pressure. Immensely more pleasant on the tarmac. YMMV. As the article says, weight matters.

DONALD FOLEY
DONALD FOLEY
17 days ago
Reply to  Euro Beat

Chalk?

Patrick Szczypinski
Patrick Szczypinski
17 days ago
Reply to  DONALD FOLEY

I run non-oem sizes on my Porsche 944 Turbo and had to use the chalk method to find the right pressures on both street and track.

Basically, run a chalk line or three across the treads and a little up the side walls. You’re looking for the pressure where you’re just wearing the chalk off the shoulder treads. Too much pressure, and you’ll have chalk left on those shoulder treads because you’re not ‘squishing’ the tire enough when cornering. Too little and you’re probably leaving chalk in the middle somewhere. It’s a good way to get in the ballpark.

Euro Beat
Euro Beat
17 days ago

I’ve never seen it remaining in the center. You know you have too little pressure when it wears off the side walls because the tire is flexing too much under cornering. You want to obtain a clean tread from shoulder to shoulder but leave it intact in the side walls.

46
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x