Tyre pressure: find the correct setting
Tyre pressure: find the correct setting
Use the cold-pressure value for your exact vehicle, axle, tyre and load state. The tyre sidewall maximum and a typical car range do not set your target. Check with a gauge even when TPMS shows no warning.
The vehicle instruction comes first
Read the Tire and Loading Information label, certification label and owner handbook for the exact vehicle, axle and approved tire. If the tire size, load index, load range or construction differs from the approved setup, do not reuse a generic SL/XL table: obtain the exact tire maker’s load-and-inflation data and confirm the fitment with the vehicle maker or a qualified tire professional.
Source: NHTSA TireWise — Maintenance: Tire Pressure; Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
Pressure units
Conversion example only: this is not a recommended tyre pressure.
| bar | kPa | psi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | ≈ 14.504 |
| 2.3 | 230 | ≈ 33.4 |
Source: NIST — Appendix B.8: bar; pound-force per square inch
TPMS is a warning system, not a setup tool
A TPMS can warn after meaningful pressure loss or a system fault, but it does not know whether the vehicle is correctly loaded, whether the selected laden value is right, or whether the tire’s service description is approved. Check with a gauge before heavy-load and towing trips even when no warning is shown.
Source: NHTSA TireWise — Maintenance: Tire Pressure; Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
Do not derive pressure from these shortcuts
- a universal front/rear pressure range by vehicle type;
- a fixed pressure increase per passenger, kilogram of cargo or trailer nose load;
- the tire sidewall maximum by itself;
- another vehicle using the same nominal tire size;
- a generic SL-versus-XL percentage or reference pressure without the exact approved tire data;
- a TPMS warning lamp being off.
This page explains how to find the applicable instruction; it is not a pressure lookup or vehicle approval. Exact values depend on the vehicle, axle loads, tires, wheels, trailer, speed, temperature, manufacturer documentation and jurisdiction.
Sources checked for the cited claims: 2026-09-04
Seasonal check
Winter tire rules coming up?
Check tread depth, markings and local winter requirements before the first cold spell instead of waiting for the appointment rush.