Tyre pressure is the cheapest and most often forgotten piece of maintenance on a car. The wrong pressure lengthens braking distances, wears the tyre unevenly and raises fuel consumption, and none of it announces itself clearly at the wheel. Checking takes a couple of minutes once a month. Here is where to find your car figure and how to measure it properly.
Where to find the figure for your car
The correct pressure is set by the car manufacturer, not the tyre manufacturer. The value is usually on a sticker in the driver door opening, inside the fuel flap or in the glovebox, and in the owner manual. There are often several figures for one car: separate values for the front and rear axle, and a separate one for a fully loaded car. If you drive loaded or tow a trailer, use the higher figure.
The number moulded into the tyre sidewall is not a recommended working pressure — it is the maximum the tyre is rated for. Inflating to that gives a hard tyre, a smaller contact patch and an uncomfortable ride.
If your tyre size differs from the factory fitment, the sticker value may no longer apply exactly. Ask the correct pressure from a workshop or the tyre seller — you can also just call us.
How and how often to check
Always measure on cold tyres: after driving the tyre has warmed up and reads a few tenths higher, which is misleading. The most accurate check is in the morning before driving, or at least a couple of hours after stopping.
Check about once a month and always before a long trip. A tyre loses pressure slowly even without a puncture or damage, and temperature moves the reading noticeably: pressure falls in the cold, so tyres are usually underinflated when the first frosts arrive in autumn.
Do not forget the spare wheel if the car has one — the roadside is the worst place to discover a flat spare. A tyre pressure monitor (TPMS) only warns once pressure has already dropped substantially, so it does not replace a regular check; it is the last warning, not the first.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I find the correct tyre pressure for my car?
- The correct value is set by the car manufacturer and is usually on a sticker in the driver door opening, inside the fuel flap or in the glovebox, as well as in the owner manual. There are often separate values for the front and rear axle and for a fully loaded car. The number on the tyre sidewall is not a recommended working pressure but the maximum the tyre is rated for, and inflating to it gives an overly hard tyre.
- How often should I check tyre pressure?
- About once a month, and always before a longer trip. A tyre loses pressure slowly even when undamaged, and a change in temperature moves the reading noticeably — tyres are often underinflated when the first cold weather arrives in autumn. Always measure on cold tyres, because a tyre warmed by driving reads higher than it really is. Check the spare too, if the car carries one.
- What happens if tyre pressure is too low?
- Low pressure makes the sidewalls flex more, which builds heat and wears the shoulders of the tread unevenly. Fuel consumption rises, steering feels vague and braking distances grow. A badly underinflated tyre can overheat and fail at speed. Underinflation is the most common cause of tyre damage, and it cannot be judged reliably by eye.
- Does a TPMS sensor replace checking by hand?
- No. TPMS only warns once pressure has already dropped substantially, so it is a last warning rather than a maintenance tool. It also may not notice an even, slow loss across all four tyres, and it does not warn about over-inflation. A monthly check with a gauge keeps pressure right and wear even; TPMS is the safety net beside it.