On this page
- Where do you find the correct pressure for your car?
- How do you read the tyre pressure table?
- What values are normal? An indicative example
- Is the "max press" value on the tyre sidewall the right one?
- When should the pressure be increased?
- Why is the right pressure so important?
- What if the tyre keeps losing pressure?
- Frequently asked questions
Where do you find the correct pressure for your car?
You will find the correct pressure for your car on a label fitted by the manufacturer, usually on the driver's side door pillar or inside the fuel filler flap, and in the owner's manual.
- Door pillar: open the driver's door and look at the edge of the bodywork or of the door itself.
- Fuel filler flap (or the charging port flap, on some electric cars): many manufacturers put the table there.
- Owner's manual: lists the values for all approved tyre sizes.
If you cannot find a label, the manual remains the reference: do not rely on values picked up by word of mouth or meant for another car.
How do you read the tyre pressure table?
The pressure table gives one value for the front axle and one for the rear, often split between normal load and full load, and sometimes for different tyre sizes.
- Identify the size fitted to your car, printed on the tyre sidewall (if in doubt, read how to read your tyre size).
- Find the row for that size.
- Choose the column according to the load: few people and little luggage, or a loaded car.
- Read the value for the front and the one for the rear: they may be different.
Values are usually given in bar and often also in psi or kPa. The compressor or gauge you use must be set to the same unit.
What values are normal? An indicative example
There is no value that applies to everyone: the right one is only the one given by your vehicle's manufacturer. To give you a sense of scale, here is a purely indicative example.
| Type of vehicle | Example of a common range (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Small car or compact saloon | Example: around 2.0–2.6 bar |
| SUVs and heavier cars | Example: often slightly higher values |
| Vans and commercial vehicles | Example: higher values, especially at the rear and at full load |
This table is only to help you get your bearings: the correct value is always the one on the door pillar label or in the manual. Even two versions of the same model can have different pressures depending on the engine and wheel size.
Is the "max press" value on the tyre sidewall the right one?
No: the "max press" value printed on the tyre sidewall is the maximum pressure that tyre can withstand, not the pressure it should be run at on your car.
Inflating the tyre to that limit would make it too hard, with less grip and uneven wear in the centre of the tread. Find out more about the risks in over-inflated tyres. The reference is always the vehicle manufacturer's label.
When should the pressure be increased?
The pressure should be increased when the car is carrying a load, following the "full load" value in the manufacturer's table.
- Trips with passengers and luggage: use the full-load values before setting off.
- Towing a trailer or caravan: some manufacturers give specific guidance, so check the manual.
- High speeds and long motorway runs: some tables give a dedicated value.
Once you are back to a normal load, return the pressure to the standard value. Remember the spare wheel or space-saver too, which often has its own pressure specified by the manufacturer.
Why is the right pressure so important?
The right pressure is important because grip, braking, cornering stability, fuel consumption and tyre life all depend on it.
- Pressure too low: the sidewall flexes too much and heats up, wear concentrates on the shoulders, and fuel consumption and the risk of damage both increase.
- Pressure too high: less contact with the road, less grip in the wet, more sensitivity to impacts.
To keep it right over time, read how and when to check tyre pressure. If the dashboard warning light comes on, you will find what to do in the guide on the tyre pressure warning light.
What if the tyre keeps losing pressure?
If a tyre keeps losing pressure after you have topped it up, there is almost always a leak to find: a small hole, the valve or the edge of the wheel rim. Read what to do about a tyre losing air.
If you are in Milan or its province and the tyre is low or flat, SOS Tyre comes out 24/7, in 30 minutes on average, to wherever the vehicle is: call +39 377 326 0999 and on the phone we will tell you straight away when we will arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Do the front and rear tyres have the same pressure?
Not always. Many manufacturers specify different pressures for the front and rear axles, depending on how the car's weight is distributed. Check the table on the door pillar label or in the manual and inflate each axle to its own value, rather than evening them out by guesswork.
If I fit a different wheel size, does the pressure change?
It may. If your car has several approved tyre sizes, the manufacturer's table often gives a value for each. Use the one for the size actually fitted, which you can read on the tyre sidewall and find among those listed in the registration document.
What is the difference between bar, psi and kPa?
They are three units measuring the same thing. In Italy bar is the most common; psi is common on British and American gauges, and kPa appears on some labels. One bar equals 100 kPa. What matters is setting your gauge or compressor to the same unit the manufacturer uses.
Is the right pressure the same in summer and winter?
The reference value given by the manufacturer does not change with the seasons, but temperature changes the actual pressure inside the tyre: it drops in the cold. That is why in winter it is worth checking it more often, always with the tyres cold, and bringing it back to the value on the label.