How to Know the Correct Tire Pressure for Your Car, by Clark Howard: Save More, Spend Less on YouTube. 1 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Open the driver's side door and look for the tire placard on the door jamb. It lists the recommended cold tire pressure in psi for front and rear tires.
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, check the owner's manual. Look in the tire or wheels section for the cold inflation pressure table.
Note that the number on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the pressure your car needs. Use the door sticker or manual figure instead.
Check pressure when the tires are cold, meaning the car has sat for at least three hours or been driven under a mile. Heat raises the reading.
Remove the valve cap and press a tire pressure gauge onto the valve stem. Read the psi and compare it with the recommended number.
Add air at a gas station or with a home compressor if the reading is low. Fill in short bursts and recheck with the gauge.
Replace the valve cap and repeat for all four tires. Check the spare too if your car has one.
Tips and common mistakes
Check tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips.
Do not use the sidewall maximum as your target pressure, since it can cause uneven wear and a harsh ride.
If one tire keeps losing pressure, have it checked for a puncture or a bad valve.
Questions
Where is the tire pressure sticker on my car?
It is usually on the driver's side door jamb, visible when the door is open. Some cars put it inside the fuel filler door or in the glovebox.
Should I use the psi on the tire sidewall?
No. That is the maximum the tire can safely hold. Use the car maker's recommended pressure from the door sticker or manual.
Why do my tires read higher after driving?
Driving heats the tires and raises the pressure. Check them cold for the most accurate reading.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
