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What is factory recommended tire pressure?

The factory recommended tire pressure is the optimal air pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the tires on your car or truck. This pressure is designed to provide the best balance of ride comfort, handling, fuel efficiency, and tire wear. Maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial for the safety and performance of your vehicle.


What is Tire Pressure?


Tire pressure refers to the amount of air inside a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The recommended tire pressure is typically found on a placard located on the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual. This pressure is the ideal level to ensure your tires perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer.


Why is Proper Tire Pressure Important?



  • Handling and Safety: Underinflated tires can cause poor handling, increased braking distances, and even blowouts, which can be dangerous. Overinflated tires can also lead to a harsher ride and reduced traction.

  • Fuel Efficiency: Tires that are not properly inflated can increase rolling resistance, leading to decreased fuel economy and higher fuel costs.

  • Tire Wear: Improper tire pressure can cause uneven wear, reducing the lifespan of your tires and requiring more frequent replacements.


Maintaining the factory recommended tire pressure is essential for ensuring your vehicle's safety, performance, and efficiency.


How to Check and Adjust Tire Pressure



  • Use a reliable tire pressure gauge to check the pressure in all four tires, including the spare, when the tires are cold (i.e., the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile).

  • Compare the measured pressure to the recommended PSI listed on the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual.

  • If the pressure is too low, use an air compressor to inflate the tires to the recommended level. If the pressure is too high, release air from the tires until the correct PSI is reached.

  • Remember to check the tire pressure regularly, at least once a month, and before long trips.


By maintaining the factory recommended tire pressure, you can help ensure your vehicle's safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. If you have any further questions or concerns, consult your owner's manual or a qualified automotive technician.

Will it ruin tires if you inflate them to 40 psi instead of 35 psi when the recommended psi is 35?


No, your tire isn't going to explode if you add a little more than the recommended amount of air. But you shouldn't go too much over recommended PSI. You can safely over-inflate tires by up to 10%.



What is too high tire pressure?


But you shouldn't go too much over recommended PSI. You can safely over-inflate tires by up to 10%. For example, if your tires have a recommended PSI of 35, you can go up to around 38 PSI without worry. Anything more than that is too much and not recommended.



What is the 4 psi rule on tires?


If the pressure is more than 4 PSI above the cold pressure, you should add more air. That is because there is too much friction, which builds up more heat than desirable. Conversely, if they are less than 4 PSI above the cold pressure, the cold pressure is too high and you should release air.



Is 40 psi too much for tires?


Tire pressure increases when the tires are used, and for this reason, following the vehicle and tire brands' recommendation is crucial. Typically, if the recommended pressure levels are 35, then the tires should not use more than 40 psi. More than that will result in the before mentioned problems.



What is the 4 to 6 psi rule?


The 4 PSI Rule Applies to Bitumen Road Use Only
Ideally, they should be 4psi above the cold pressure. For Light Truck and 4×4 tyres, use 6psi as a guide, but rough and corrugated roads cause more flexing, and your tyres may rise more than 4 or 6psi. In which case, applying this “rule” is not recommended.



Should all 4 tires have the same psi?


The placard or manual should list the appropriate psi for both the front and rear tires, as they may be different. Most passenger cars' psi requirement will be between 30 to 35 psi, but several vehicles fall outside of that range and every vehicle will have specific requirements.



What should tire pressure be in summer?


between 30 and 35 psi
In general, the best tire pressure for summer driving is between 30 and 35 psi. However, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, you may need to adjust your tire pressure accordingly, by slightly lowering your PSI to account for the heat-related air expansion inside your tires.



What is the most ideal tire pressure?


For everyday use, most passenger cars will have a recommended or optimum pressure of 30 or 32 PSI.



Does lower tire pressure give a smoother ride?


Lowering tire pressure makes tires soft and pliable, so they can conform to the shape of the rocks, improving traction and even helping to smooth out what can be an extremely rough ride.



Is 35 tire pressure too high?


Ideal Tire Pressure
Tire pressure between 32 to 35 PSI is suitable for most vehicles. However, one can go as low as 20 PSI (although that is not recommended). Anything below 20 PSI is considered a flat tire. PSI stands for pounds per square inch.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.