Tyre Pressures: How to Check Them and Why They Matter
Checking your tyre pressures takes five minutes, costs little or nothing, and makes your car safer and cheaper to run. We recommend doing it at least once a month and before long journeys.
Why pressures matter
- Safety – under-inflated tyres grip and brake worse and can overheat.
- Wear – wrong pressures wear tyres unevenly and shorten their life.
- Fuel and range – soft tyres increase rolling resistance, using more fuel or battery.
Where to find the right pressures
Your car's recommended pressures are usually on a sticker inside the driver's door pillar or fuel filler flap, and in the handbook. There are often two values: one for normal driving and a higher one for a fully loaded car. Pressures are shown in PSI and/or bar.
How to check them
- Check when the tyres are cold – before driving, or after the car has stood for a couple of hours.
- Use a reliable gauge; many petrol station gauges are not very accurate.
- Remove the valve cap, press the gauge on firmly and read the pressure.
- Add air until it matches the recommended value, then refit the valve cap.
- Check all four tyres – and the spare if you have one.
What uneven wear tells you
- Worn in the middle – usually over-inflation.
- Worn on both edges – usually under-inflation.
- Worn on one edge – often wheel alignment (tracking) needs checking.
A tyre that keeps losing air
If you keep topping up the same tyre, there may be a slow puncture, a leaking valve or corrosion where the tyre meets the wheel. These can usually be fixed – see puncture repair. If your car has a TPMS warning light, that is often the first sign.
Free pressure checks
Call in to our garage in Weymouth and we will check and set your tyre pressures. If you need new tyres or a repair, book online.
Common questions
How often should I check my tyre pressures?
At least once a month and before long journeys or carrying heavy loads.
Should I check pressures when the tyres are warm?
No – check them cold, as warm tyres read higher.
Where do I find my car's tyre pressures?
On the sticker in the driver's door pillar or fuel flap, or in the handbook.
