Why Tyre Pressure Matters

Under-inflated tyres wear faster on the outer edges, use more fuel and handle poorly — particularly in emergency braking or cornering. Over-inflated tyres wear in the centre and give a harsher ride. Correct pressure is one of the easiest and most impactful maintenance tasks.

What Pressure Should Your Tyres Be?

Every car has its own recommended pressure. Find it on: a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, the fuel flap, your car handbook, or the tyre sidewall (maximum pressure, not recommended). The front and rear tyres often have different recommended pressures. Pressure is shown in PSI (pounds per square inch) or BAR — 30 PSI = approximately 2.0 BAR.

  1. 1

    Check when tyres are cold

    Tyre pressure increases when tyres heat up from driving. Check before you have driven more than 2km, or after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours. Hot readings are inaccurate.

  2. 2

    Remove the valve cap

    Unscrew the small cap on the tyre valve stem (the short rubber or metal nozzle on the inner wheel rim). Keep it somewhere safe — they are easy to drop and lose.

  3. 3

    Press the gauge firmly onto the valve

    Press the gauge straight onto the valve with firm, even pressure. A hissing sound means you are not getting a good seal — reposition and press harder. Read the PSI on the gauge display.

  4. 4

    Compare to recommended pressure

    Compare your reading to the recommended PSI. If low, add air. If high, press the small pin in the centre of the valve briefly to release some air, then check again.

  5. 5

    Check all four tyres and the spare

    Pressure can differ across tyres. Check all four, plus the spare if your car has one — a flat spare when you need it is a nasty surprise.

At a petrol stationMost petrol stations have a free or coin-operated air pump. Enter your target pressure in PSI or BAR, attach to the valve and the machine adds air to the correct level automatically. Much easier than a manual gauge.

How Often to Check

Once a month is the standard recommendation — tyres naturally lose 1–2 PSI per month. Also check before any long road trip and after a significant temperature change (cold weather noticeably drops pressure).

Frequently Asked Questions

Short distances are unlikely to cause immediate damage, but driving consistently on under-inflated tyres causes premature wear on the tyre shoulders, reduces fuel efficiency by up to 3%, and impairs handling. Fix it as soon as practical.
No — the sidewall shows the maximum allowable pressure, not the recommended pressure. Always use the pressure recommended in your car's door jamb sticker or manual, not the tyre sidewall figure.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light means at least one tyre is 25% below recommended pressure. Check all four tyres immediately and inflate as needed. The light should go off once correct pressure is restored after driving a short distance.