CAR SPEC SHEET

Spare tire pressure: why most compact spares take 60 psi

By Car Spec Sheet · Updated Oct 16, 2026 · Every example is checked against the owner's manual page it links to. How we work

Most compact (temporary) spare tires are inflated to 60 psi, much higher than the road tires. Of the 435 vehicles on this site whose owner’s manual lists a spare tire pressure, 391 list 60 psi; for example the 2026 Nissan Sentra, 2026 Hyundai Palisade, 2026 Hyundai Sonata. The other figures are listed below.

Where to find your spare’s pressure

The Tire and Loading Information label on the driver’s door jamb lists the spare’s pressure as well as the front and rear tires; federal safety standard FMVSS 110 requires it (see Finding the right tire pressure). The owner’s manual also lists it, usually near the tire-changing instructions. A full-size spare that matches your other wheels normally uses the road tire pressure instead, so check which kind you have.

Check it before you need it

A spare sits unused for years and loses pressure like any tire. Check it when you check the others, using a gauge that reads up to at least 60 psi. Temporary spares are only meant for short distances at reduced speed; your manual gives the limits for your vehicle.

Spares at other pressures

Lower figures, in the 30s and 40s, usually belong to full-size spares, which are inflated like the road tires; many pickups and large SUVs carry one. Check the label to see which kind your vehicle has.

Spares listed at 33 psi

Spares listed at 35 psi

Spares listed at 36 psi

Spares listed at 39 psi

Spares listed at 44 psi

Spares listed at 48 psi

Spares listed at 51 psi

Spares listed at 65 psi

Spares listed at 70 psi

Spares listed at 73 psi

Generated from the published records on October 16, 2026. Years are model years we have the manual for, so gaps mean we don’t have that year yet, not that the answer changed. Spot something wrong? Use the “Report a problem” link on the vehicle’s page.