Tire Pressure 101: Why It Matters and How to Get It Right

It's easy to forget about tire pressure until a warning light comes on. But correct pressure affects how your car handles, how quickly your tires wear, and how much fuel you use. The good news: checking it takes just a few minutes.

Why tire pressure matters

• Safety: Underinflated tires can make steering feel less responsive and increase stopping distance.
• Tire life: Incorrect pressure causes uneven wear, so tires need replacing sooner.
• Fuel economy: Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, which means the engine works harder.

Where to find the right number

Look for the sticker on the inside of the driver's door frame or in your owner's manual. That's the pressure your car's manufacturer recommends. The number on the tire sidewall is the maximum the tire can hold, not the target.

How to check your tires

1. Check when the tires are cold, before driving or after the car has been parked for a few hours.
2. Remove the valve cap and press a pressure gauge firmly onto the valve.
3. Compare the reading with the recommended number.
4. Add air if it's low, or release a little if it's high.
5. Don't forget to replace the valve cap.

A wireless tire inflator lets you do all of this at home, without hunting for a gas station air pump.

How often should you check?

A good habit is once a month and before any long trip. Pressure also drops in cold weather, so check more often as temperatures fall.

Let technology help

A TPMS tire pressure monitor shows the pressure of all four tires on a display, so you can spot a slow leak early instead of finding a flat tire later.

The bottom line

Five minutes a month is all it takes to keep your tires safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient.