What Should My Tire Pressure Be? How to Find Your Exact Number
Your tire pressure should be whatever your vehicle manufacturer recommends, which you’ll find on the tire and loading information label on the driver’s door edge or door post, and in your owner’s manual. It’s measured with the tires cold. Don’t use the number molded into the tire sidewall. That’s the tire’s maximum pressure, not the right pressure for your car.
There’s no single correct number for every car, because it depends on your vehicle’s weight, size, and tire specification. This guide shows you exactly where to find yours and how to read the label.
Table of Contents
Where to Find Your Tire Pressure
1. The driver’s door label
Open the driver’s door and look at the edge of the door or the door post (the pillar the door closes against). You’re looking for a sticker titled Tire and Loading Information, sometimes called the tire placard. NHTSA points drivers to this label as the place to find recommended pressure.
On some vehicles, the label may be inside the glovebox or the fuel door instead.
2. Your owner’s manual
The owner’s manual lists the same recommended pressures, often with extra detail for heavy loads or towing.
3. Not the tire sidewall
The sidewall shows a maximum pressure, the most the tire can safely hold. Bridgestone notes that many people mistakenly think the correct pressure is on the sidewall. Inflating to that number usually means running far more pressure than your vehicle maker intended.
How to Read the Door Label
| What you’ll see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Front | Recommended cold pressure for the front tires |
| Rear | Recommended cold pressure for the rear tires |
| Spare | Recommended pressure for the spare, if fitted |
| PSI and kPa | The same pressure in pounds per square inch and kilopascals |
| Tire size | The original tire size these pressures apply to |
Front and rear pressures are sometimes different, so don’t assume one number applies to all four tires. Compact spare tires often need a much higher pressure than the road tires, so check that line too.
Why “Cold” Matters
The recommended pressure applies to cold tires. NHTSA defines cold as not driven for at least three hours. Driving warms the tires and raises the pressure, so a reading taken right after a drive will look higher than it really is.
For the most accurate check, measure first thing in the morning before you drive. Our guide on how to check tire pressure walks through it.
When Your Number Might Change
- Different tire size: if your car has a different tire size from the one on the label, ask a tire professional for the correct pressure.
- Heavy loads or towing: some owner’s manuals list a higher pressure for full loads. Follow the manual.
- Temperature swings: Bridgestone notes tire pressure changes by about 1 psi for every 10°F change in temperature, so you’ll need to top up more often in cold weather.
- Natural loss: tires lose air gradually. Bridgestone says about 1 psi per month on average, which is why monthly checks matter.
What You Need to Check It
A good tire gauge is the only tool you need to check pressure, and it’s more accurate than many gas station gauges.
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See our guide to the best tire pressure gauge for more options, and how to inflate car tires if you need to add air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should all four tires have the same pressure?
Only if your door label lists the same number for front and rear. Some vehicles specify different pressures, so check the label.
What if I can’t find the tire label?
Check the owner’s manual, the glovebox door, or the fuel filler door. A dealer or tire shop can also look up the correct pressure for your vehicle.
Is the number on the tire the right pressure?
No. The sidewall shows the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
Should I add extra pressure for better fuel economy?
Stick to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. It’s set to balance safety, handling, comfort, and tire wear.
The Takeaway
Your correct tire pressure is on the label inside your driver’s door, measured cold. Check front, rear, and spare numbers, ignore the sidewall maximum, and check monthly with a reliable gauge.
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