What PSI should my tires be?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to be responsible and top up your tires at the gas station, but you read the big number on the sidewall and almost pumped them up to 44 PSI.

Wrong pressure wears tires unevenly and hurts grip and mileage.

Causes & evidence

Your car's correct pressure is on the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver's door edge or post, or in the owner's manual. See tire pressure and tread.

What to do

1. Find the door-jamb label.
2. Check when tires are cold.
3. Fill to that number on every tire.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: using the sidewall maximum as the fill target, which can make the ride harsh and reduce grip. Another is filling all four to one number when front and rear differ. Check when tires are cold, add air in short bursts and recheck with your gauge. If you overfill, press the valve pin briefly to let some air out. Don't forget the spare, which may have its own pressure listed. After a big temperature drop, pressures fall, so recheck when seasons change.

Speed Man tip: Front and rear can have different numbers; check the label.

Wrap-up: Sidewall number = maximum. Door label = correct. Check cold.