Tyre pressure is the maintenance check most drivers know they should do and consistently don't. A survey by TyreSafe found that over 50% of UK cars are being driven on at least one incorrectly inflated tyre. It's one of those things that drifts quietly until a blowout or a failed MOT makes it undeniable.
The fix takes ninety seconds and costs nothing if you use a petrol station gauge. Here's everything you need to know.
What Pressure Should Your Tyres Be At?
There is no universal answer — it varies by vehicle and tyre size. Your correct tyre pressure is specified by the car manufacturer, not the tyre manufacturer. Find it in one of three places:
- Inside the driver's door jamb — most modern cars have a sticker here with front and rear pressures
- Inside the fuel filler cap
- In the vehicle handbook under tyres or specifications
Pressure is given in PSI (pounds per square inch) or BAR. Most passenger cars run between 28–36 PSI. Many manufacturers specify a higher rear pressure when the car is fully loaded — check both the standard and laden figures if you're carrying passengers or a full boot.
Important: Always check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold — meaning the car has been parked for at least three hours or driven fewer than two miles. Driving warms the air inside the tyre and raises the pressure reading, which will give you a falsely high result.
How to Check
- Park on a flat surface and make sure the tyres are cold
- Remove the valve cap from the tyre (unscrew anticlockwise)
- Press the pressure gauge firmly onto the valve stem — you'll hear a slight hiss if it's not seated properly
- Read the pressure on the gauge display
- Compare to your vehicle's specified pressure
- Add air at a petrol station forecourt pump if needed, or release air using the small pin in the centre of the valve if over-inflated
- Replace the valve cap and repeat on all four tyres — don't forget the spare
How Often?
Once a month is the minimum. Every two weeks if you drive long distances regularly. Tyres naturally lose 1–2 PSI per month through the rubber — this is normal and doesn't indicate a problem. Significant or sudden loss means you have a puncture or a faulty valve.
Temperature affects pressure: every 10°C drop in ambient temperature reduces tyre pressure by roughly 1–2 PSI. So a tyre correctly inflated in September may be noticeably low by November. Always check at the start of winter.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
Underinflation is the bigger risk. An underinflated tyre flexes excessively, generates heat in the sidewall, wears the tyre edges faster, reduces fuel economy, and in worst cases leads to a blowout. Overinflation reduces the tyre's contact patch with the road, makes the ride harsher, and causes centre-tread wear. Neither is doing your tyres — or your safety — any favours.
If you have a TPMS warning light illuminated, your pressure is at least 25% below the recommended level. Don't ignore it. Read our TPMS guide or call us on 07814 095 395.
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