Find the Right Tire Pressure for Your Vehicle
Manufacturer-recommended PSI for 39+ popular cars — plus a step-by-step guide to checking and maintaining your tires.
How to Check Tire Pressure →Find Your Vehicle's Tire Pressure
Select your brand and model to see the manufacturer-recommended PSI.
Find Your Vehicle's Tire Pressure
Tire Pressure Guides
How to Check Tire Pressure
Step-by-step guide: tools you need, when to check, and how to read the gauge.
Why Does My Tire Pressure Keep Dropping?
6 causes explained — from cold weather to slow leaks — and how to fix each one.
How to Fill Tires with Air
Step-by-step: gas station or home inflator, how much PSI to add, when to stop.
Tire Pressure Warning Light
What the TPMS light means, how urgent it is, and how to reset it.
Best Tire Pressure Gauges
Top picks for accuracy and value — digital, dial, and pencil gauges compared.
Why Proper Tire Pressure Matters
Keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer-recommended PSI is one of the simplest things you can do to stay safe on the road and save money. According to the NHTSA, underinflated tires contribute to roughly 11,000 crashes each year in the United States. When tire pressure drops below the recommended level, the tire's sidewalls flex more than they were designed to, generating excess heat that can lead to a sudden blowout — especially at highway speeds.
Beyond safety, correct tire pressure directly affects your wallet. For every 1 PSI drop across all four tires, your fuel economy decreases by about 0.2%. That may sound small, but a car running 10 PSI low on all four corners is wasting roughly 8% more fuel — which adds up to hundreds of dollars a year at the pump. Properly inflated tires also wear more evenly, extending tread life and saving you from buying replacement tires sooner than necessary.
Tires naturally lose 1–2 PSI per month through normal seepage, and ambient temperature changes affect pressure too — you can expect to lose about 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in outside temperature. This is why your TPMS warning light often comes on during the first cold snap of autumn. Most passenger cars, sedans, and compact SUVs recommend between 30 and 35 PSI, but always check the sticker on your driver-side door jamb — not the number molded on the tire sidewall.
Tire Pressure Chart: Cold PSI by Vehicle Type
Most passenger vehicles recommend a cold tire pressure between 30 and 40 PSI. The exact value depends on your vehicle's weight, tire size, and axle load. Use the chart below as a quick reference, then confirm the manufacturer's number on your driver-side door jamb sticker — never inflate to the number printed on the tire sidewall.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Cold PSI (Front/Rear) |
|---|---|
| Compact / Sedan | 32–35 PSI |
| SUV / Crossover | 32–36 PSI |
| Minivan | 35–36 PSI |
| Pickup Truck (light-duty) | 35–40 PSI |
| Pickup Truck (heavy-duty) | 60–80 PSI (loaded) |
| Electric Vehicle | 42–45 PSI |
Looking up the PSI for your specific vehicle? Browse all 274 vehicles by make and model →
kPa to PSI Conversion (and BAR)
European and Canadian spec sheets list pressure in kPa (kilopascals) or BAR instead of PSI. If you bought your car in Europe or your owner's manual prints kPa values, use the table below to convert. Formula: 1 PSI = 6.895 kPa = 0.0689 BAR. To convert kPa to PSI, divide by 6.895.
| PSI | kPa | BAR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 207 | 2.1 |
| 32 | 221 | 2.2 |
| 33 | 228 | 2.3 |
| 35 | 241 | 2.4 |
| 36 | 248 | 2.5 |
| 38 | 262 | 2.6 |
| 40 | 276 | 2.8 |
| 42 | 290 | 2.9 |
| 45 | 310 | 3.1 |
Need to fill tires at a gas station? See our gas station tire pressure guide →
Where to Find Your Recommended PSI (Door Jamb Sticker)
The correct cold tire pressure for your specific vehicle is on a white and yellow sticker on the driver-side door jamb — not the number printed on the tire sidewall. The sidewall number is the tire's maximum allowable pressure, not the recommended pressure. Follow these steps to find your sticker:
- Open the driver-side door fully.
- Look at the door frame (B-pillar area) where the door latches when closed.
- Find a white/yellow sticker labeled with vehicle and tire information.
- Read the "TIRE PSI" line — separate values for front and rear tires.
- Note the spare tire PSI separately (compact spares are typically 60 PSI).
- The tire size (e.g., 215/55R17) on the sticker is the size, not the pressure.
If your sticker is missing or unreadable, look up the manufacturer's recommended pressure for your specific make, model, and trim:
Look Up Your Vehicle's PSI →When to Check Tire Pressure (Seasonal Guide)
Tires lose about 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in ambient temperature and gain about 1 PSI per 10°F rise. This is why your TPMS light often comes on during the first cold snap of autumn — the tire pressure dropped below the trigger threshold as the weather cooled. Use this seasonal timing guide:
- Spring / Summer: Check every 30 days, especially before long road trips. Hot pavement can push pressure above the recommended cold PSI — never deflate to the door-jamb number when tires are warm.
- Fall: Check weekly as outdoor temperatures drop. A 30°F autumn temperature swing can drop pressure by 3 PSI across all four tires.
- Winter: Check every 2 weeks. Cold causes a steady 3–5 PSI drop from your summer baseline. Many owners set winter tires 1–2 PSI higher than the door-jamb spec to compensate for cold-weather contraction.
- After any tire change, rotation, or repair: Recheck within 24 hours. Even a slow leak from an imperfect reseat can drop pressure overnight.
Normal Tire Pressure for SUV vs Sedan vs Truck vs EV
Different vehicle classes have different recommended cold pressures based on curb weight, tire size, and load distribution. Below is a typical range for each category — confirm against your door-jamb sticker for your exact vehicle.
Sedans and Compact Cars
Most run 32–35 PSI front and rear. Light curb weight (~3,000 lbs) and standard tires mean a single pressure works for both axles. Examples: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord.
Typical cold PSI: 32–35 PSI
SUVs and Crossovers
Typically 32–36 PSI. Heavier (~4,000 lbs) than sedans and often with different front/rear recommendations due to load distribution. Some trims (e.g., sport-tuned suspensions) specify higher pressure on the rear axle. Examples: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox.
Typical cold PSI: 32–36 PSI
Pickup Trucks (Light-Duty)
Light-duty pickups (F-150, Silverado 1500, Tundra) typically run 35–40 PSI unloaded. Heavy-duty trucks (F-250+, Ram 2500+) can specify 60–80 PSI on the rear axle when carrying maximum payload — always check your door-jamb sticker for the unloaded baseline and the owner's manual for load ratings.
Typical cold PSI: 35–40 PSI (light-duty), 60–80 PSI (heavy-duty loaded)
Electric Vehicles
EVs typically run higher pressure (42–45 PSI) than ICE vehicles because battery packs add 500–1,000 lbs of weight. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 both specify 42 PSI cold; Mustang Mach-E specifies 36–42 PSI depending on wheel size. Always check the door-jamb sticker for your specific configuration.
Typical cold PSI: 42–45 PSI
Best Tire Pressure Gauges (Quick Picks)
A reliable gauge is the single most important tool for keeping your tires at the right pressure. Pencil gauges are cheap but lose calibration quickly; digital and dial gauges hold accuracy longer. Our full guide compares accuracy, durability, and value across the top picks.
Best Overall
JACO ElitePro Digital
~$30 · our #1 pick after multi-source testing
Best Budget
AstroAI Digital
~$15 · solid accuracy for the price
Best for Trucks
Milton S-921 Dial
~$25 · multi-source recommended for high-PSI tires