The amount of air you should have in your tire depends on your vehicle's manufacturer recommendations, which are typically between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch) for most passenger cars. The exact recommended pressure can be found in your car's owner's manual or on a sticker located on the inside of the driver's door jamb or sometimes inside the fuel filler flap
. Key points to consider:
- Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold (before driving or after the car has been parked for at least three hours), as heat from driving or sun exposure can increase tire pressure by several PSI
- Typical recommended cold tire pressures are around 30-35 PSI for most passenger vehicles, but this can vary based on vehicle size (e.g., small cars ~30 PSI, medium ~36 PSI, large ~42 PSI)
- If you use winter tires, inflate them about 3 PSI higher than summer tires because tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature
- To check tire pressure, use a reliable tire pressure gauge by pressing it firmly onto the tire valve stem and reading the PSI. Adjust air accordingly to match the recommended pressure
- Do not inflate tires to the maximum PSI printed on the tire sidewall; that number is the maximum limit, not the recommended operating pressure
In summary, find your vehicle's recommended cold tire pressure (usually 28-36 PSI), check regularly with a tire pressure gauge when tires are cold, and keep your tires inflated to that level for optimal safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity
