Finding the right tire pressure for your vehicle
The tire pressure your vehicle needs is on the Tire and Loading Information label, usually on the driver’s door jamb. Federal safety standard FMVSS 110 requires that label to show the “vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure for front, rear and spare tires” (49 CFR 571.110, S4.3). It’s normally fixed to the driver’s-side B-pillar, or the rear edge of the driver’s door if there’s no B-pillar.
How to read it
- Front and rear can differ. On some vehicles they do, so set each axle to its own number.
- The spare has its own pressure. A compact spare is usually much higher, and its number is for the spare only. On the 2022 Cadillac XT5, the owner’s manual lists the compact spare (60 psi) but sends you to the door label for the road tires.
- “Cold” means before driving, or after the car has sat for a few hours. Driving warms the tires and raises the reading.
- Not the number on the tire. The sidewall shows the tire’s maximum pressure, not what your vehicle needs.
When the size on your car doesn’t match the label
If the tires were changed to a different size, the label’s numbers may not apply. Some manuals list pressures by tire size or package. The 2017 Civic Sedan gives 33 psi front for 1.5 L SPORT models with 235/40R18 tires and 32 psi for the others. Check with a tire professional if your tires aren’t an original size.