The correct pressure for your car is set by the manufacturer, not the tyre. You'll find it on a placard in the driver's door shut, inside the fuel filler flap, or in the handbook. The number moulded into the tyre sidewall is the maximum the tyre can take, not your target.
Where to find the right figure
- Driver's door sill, the most common location.
- Fuel filler flap, on many cars.
- Handbook, always has the full table.
Most placards list two figures: a normal pressure and a higher "laden" pressure for when the car is fully loaded with passengers and luggage.
How to check and set pressures
- Check when tyres are cold, before driving or after no more than a mile or two.
- Use an accurate gauge, forecourt machines can drift.
- Set each tyre to the recommended figure (and the spare, if you have one).
- Use the laden figure for heavy loads or motorway trips with a full car.
Why correct pressure matters
Under-inflation overheats tyres, wears the shoulders, raises fuel use and increases blowout risk. Over-inflation reduces grip and wears the centre. Both shorten tyre life and hurt safety, see why tyres wear unevenly.
Let us check it for you
We check and set pressures on every visit. If a tyre won't hold pressure, we'll find out why. Book a mobile visit across London and Birmingham.
