Since cars are such costly investments, it’s no wonder that every car owner pays special attention to maintenance. Your tires are just one component that you must take care of. However, they are incredibly important.
If you neglect them, they will wear out prematurely. It may lead to unexpected expenses you could have easily avoided. With proper care, you’ll ensure your vehicle will be safe to drive. It’ll also last much longer.
An important part of tire maintenance is proper pressure. If you pump in too much air, your car will be difficult to steer. Too little air will cause you to lose control when driving on a wet road. Are you worried about messing up this delicate task? Well, worry no longer.
In this article, we’re going to delve into every matter related to car tire pressure. The good thing is that most newer cars have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), so you avoid driving on a flat tire. Here’s what you need when the air pressure is off.
Summary
The best tire pressure for your car tire is anything between 32 and 40 PSI. Depending on your driving style and external conditions, you can choose any value within this range. If the pressure is above or below this range:
- Your car will consume more fuel
- The tires will wear out faster

Table of Contents
- What should my car tire pressure be?
- How is it measured?
- How often should I check?
- Normal scenarios
- How do I know what it should be?
What should my car tire pressure be?
Putting the right amount of air in their tires can seem challenging for new car owners. Well, we all started somewhere. With the right knowledge, keeping them inflated properly will become second nature.
But what is the right pressure? Is 40 PSI good? Or is it too much? Although the exact amount varies from car to car, the recommended pressure varies from 32 to 40 PSI.
To find the precise value, check the inside of your driver’s door – you should see a sticker with the value written on it. But if you bought a used vehicle, odds are the sticker’s faded. In this case, you can consult the owner’s manual.
An important fact to note is that people measure the pressure when the tires are cold. Thus, you should examine it only after your car’s been parked for a sufficiently long time.
The ideal time to do this is in the morning, before the temperature rises. If you do it while the wheels are hot, you will not get an accurate reading. It is because gas expands with heat. And as it expands, the air exerts more pressure against the rubber.
How is it measured?

All this knowledge might seem great, but what’s the point if you can’t take proper care of your car? Luckily, measuring their pressure is no nuclear science. All you need is a tire pressure gauge.
Some inflators come with inbuilt gauges, making your job that much easier. The gauge will conveniently display the things you need to know on a screen to regain optimal tire performance and avoid a blowout.
Remember that while this pressure might be measured in PSI here in the US, other countries might use metric units. Don’t be surprised if you see bars or kilopascals on your foreign car.
To check it, follow these simple steps:
- Wait for your vehicle to cool down. It should be at least a couple of hours since your last trip. Otherwise, you will get inaccurate readings.
- Uncap the air valve
- Press the tire gauge against the valve stem. You might hear hissing until the pressure stabilizes. It is completely normal.
- Mark down the value that appears on the gauge.
- Compare your reading with the recommended PSI. Read the manual thoroughly, as front and back wheels need different amounts of air.
- Replenish or let out air as needed.
- Close the air valve.
- Repeat for the other three wheels, and you’ll be well on your way to great fuel efficiency again.
How often should I check?

In an ideal scenario, you should check your pressure every two weeks. But we understand that not everyone has so much time on their hands. Maybe you have to take care of your family.
Or perhaps it’s your work that’s keeping you busy. Whatever the case may be, make sure you check it once a month at the bare minimum. Believe us. It will spare you a lot of trouble in the long run.
In general, your wheels lose about 3 PSI of pressure every month. On paper, it may not look like much. But take a look at this example.
If your recommended pressure is 35 PSI, it will drop to 29 PSI in two months. It is much lower than normal. You should replenish the air in your tires routinely to avoid problems that may be life-threatening.
Whenever you inflate them, do so while they’re cold. Otherwise, the air will contract once they cool down.
Normal scenarios
32 to 40 PSI is what experts consider a normal pressure for your car. You should check your tire pressure regularly to keep your trips smooth. Your car will consume more gas if it is higher or lower than this recommended value. The rubber will also wear down faster.
You can look inside the driver’s door to find the value recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Usually, that’s where you can find a sticker containing all the relevant information. Alternatively, you can check your vehicle’s manual.
Did you know tires even lose air through the sidewall over time?
How do I know what it should be?

Finding your car’s specific tire pressure is quite easy. Most cars have it listed on a sticker located on the inside of the driver’s door. If you find it illegible or damaged, consult your manufacturer’s manual. All of your vehicle’s metrics and specifications will be listed there.
If you decide to check your car’s tire pressure, do so only once the wheels have cooled down. Otherwise, you won’t be able to measure it properly. Because air expands at higher temperatures, your readings will be greater than normal.
You may have stumbled upon a number while you were checking out your tires. It indicates the tire’s maximum capacity. Whatever you do, do not inflate it until you reach this value.
Too much air will lower your traction. As a result, you’ll have difficulties manipulating your car. The excessive air will also cause the rubber to expand in the center. And because it will touch the road only in the center, the rubber will erode much faster than usual.
