What tyre pressure should I use? A practical guide

In short

For “What tyre pressure should I use?”, the answer is the cold tyre pressure your car manufacturer specifies for your tyres and load. Find the recommendation on the vehicle label or in the owner's manual, then measure before driving while the tyres are cold.

The recommended pressure is on a label in the door frame, fuel flap or in the manual, not the maximum printed on the tyre.
Check pressure with cold tyres about once a month.
Under-inflation increases wear and fuel use; over-inflation reduces grip.

Where do you find the right tyre pressure?

You find the right pressure on your car's tyre information label or in its owner's manual, matching the recommendation to your tyres and load. Start with the driver's door opening, then check the fuel flap or manual if the label is elsewhere. Read the whole label rather than choosing the first value you see. It may show different recommendations for the front and rear tyres, different tyre sizes, or a car carrying more passengers and luggage.

The marking on the tyre sidewall is not your everyday inflation target. It describes a limit for the tyre rather than the pressure selected for your particular car. This distinction matters with imported used cars in Georgia, where a replacement tyre, missing handbook or unfamiliar label can create confusion. If you cannot confidently identify the correct recommendation, ask a shop to check it against the vehicle details and fitted tyres rather than copying another driver's setting.

How do you measure tyre pressure correctly?

You measure tyre pressure most reliably with a suitable gauge while the tyres are cold, before driving has warmed them. Check pressure with cold tyres about once a month. Build the check into a routine when the car has been parked long enough for its tyres to cool. If you have already driven to a filling station, do not assume that its reading is directly comparable with the manufacturer's cold-pressure recommendation. Ask the shop how to proceed if you are unsure.

Remove the valve cap, press the gauge squarely onto the valve and read the result in the same unit used on your vehicle label. A poor seal can release air and give an unreliable reading, so reposition the gauge if you hear air escaping. Adjust to the applicable recommendation, measure again and replace the cap. Check every road tyre rather than assuming the others match. If you carry a spare, check its separate instructions in the manual.

Find the recommendation for your tyre size and load.
Check that the gauge and label use matching units.
Measure each tyre while cold.
Adjust, recheck and replace the valve caps.

What happens if tyre pressure is wrong?

Wrong tyre pressure can change how your car grips, wears its tyres and uses fuel. Under-inflation increases wear and fuel use; over-inflation reduces grip. A tyre that looks normal is not proof that its pressure is correct, and a car that feels familiar may still have a gradual pressure loss. Use a gauge instead of judging by appearance, pressing the sidewall with your hand or waiting for a noticeable change in steering before you check.

Too little pressure allows more tyre flexing, which can contribute to heat build-up and damage. Too much pressure can make the ride harsher and affect how the tyre meets the road. Uneven wear, vibration or pulling can also have causes beyond pressure, including alignment, wheel or tyre problems. Correcting the pressure is a useful first check, but it is not a diagnosis. If symptoms remain after adjustment, have a shop inspect the tyres rather than repeatedly changing the setting.

When should you use a different recommended setting?

You should use a different pressure setting only when the vehicle manufacturer's instructions call for it, such as for a heavier load or a different approved tyre size. Check the label and manual before a trip with passengers and luggage. Do not assume that every tyre needs the same adjustment, or that a larger-looking tyre should receive more air. If the fitted size does not appear in the vehicle information, ask a shop to confirm its suitability and the correct pressure.

Driving conditions are a reason to check your tyres, not to invent a new target. Tbilisi traffic can warm tyres before you reach an air pump, while a journey into the mountains can involve changes in temperature and road conditions. Neither is a reason to casually release air from warm tyres. If your car has an LPG or CNG conversion and you are unsure how its added equipment affects loading, ask the installer or shop about the applicable manufacturer guidance.

What should you do about a warning or pressure loss?

You should measure the tyres when a pressure warning appears and investigate any tyre that repeatedly loses air. A dashboard warning does not tell you the correct inflation target, and the absence of a warning does not replace a manual check. Consult the owner's manual for what your particular warning means and whether a reset or relearning procedure is required after adjustment. Do not simply clear the warning without checking the tyres and understanding why it appeared.

If a tyre looks flat, has visible damage or makes the car feel unstable, stop somewhere safe and arrange appropriate help rather than continuing to an air pump. For slower recurring losses, a shop can inspect the tyre, valve and wheel for the cause. Tell the technician which tyre loses pressure, when you last adjusted it and whether there was a recent impact or repair. Avoid pulling out an embedded object yourself, because doing so can make the air loss worse.

A warning that returns after the pressures are corrected.
One tyre needing air repeatedly.
A bulge, cut or other visible damage.
Vibration, pulling or an impact followed by pressure loss.

When should you ask a tyre shop for help?

You should ask a shop for help when the recommended setting is unclear, a tyre will not hold pressure or the car still feels wrong after adjustment. Bring the vehicle information and explain whether the wheels or tyres have been changed. On an imported used car, a shop can help you interpret an unfamiliar label and check whether the fitted tyre size matches the vehicle information. Ask for the pressure recommendation to be explained, not just for the tyres to be filled.

In Georgia, you can use junto.ge/services to find a car service by service, price, place and the next free time, then book a visit online for the shop to confirm. Describe recurring pressure loss or damage in your request so the shop understands what needs attention. If extra work is suggested, the shop can send an SMS approval link showing each line and its price before work starts. Your free Junto car owner account keeps your car's service history, bookings and reminders.

Questions and answers

Should I let air out when the tyres are hot?

Do not release air just because a warm reading is above the cold recommendation; pressure normally rises as tyres warm up. Let the tyres cool and check again against the vehicle instructions. If you suspect significant over-inflation or damage, ask a shop before continuing.

Are winter and summer tyre pressures always different?

There is no universal seasonal pressure adjustment for every car. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for your fitted tyres and check again when temperatures change, since a previous adjustment may no longer give the correct cold reading.

Can I use the same pressure as another car of the same model?

Use your own vehicle information rather than another owner's setting. Tyre size, loading and vehicle version can differ even when two cars look alike. If your label is missing, ask a shop to help identify the applicable manufacturer recommendation.

Does passing periodic technical inspection replace pressure checks?

No, you still need routine pressure checks between inspections. A tyre can lose air or suffer damage after a periodic technical inspection. Treat an inspection result as separate from your ongoing checks, not as assurance that today's pressures are correct.

Should I reset the tyre warning after rotating the wheels?

Check your owner's manual because monitoring systems and their procedures differ. Some cars require a reset or relearning step after wheel changes. Confirm the cold pressures first rather than using a reset to hide an unresolved warning.

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