What pressure for your tires?
Checking your tire pressure is simple and inexpensive. It is important to use the pressure recommended by the manufacturer to avoid overinflation or under-inflation.
• Over-inflation can lead to premature tire wear in the centre of the tread.
• Under-inflation can lead to premature tire wear in the shoulder area. It reduces the grip qualities.
The tire pressure recommended by your manufacturer
The pressure has been optimally defined by the manufacturer for the vehicle/tire combination. All performances have been checked by the manufacturer with a clear objective: your safety.
This is why it is imperative to consult the pressure recommended by your manufacturer for your vehicle.
It is generally indicated:
on a sticker on your driver's side door,
in the fuel filler flap,
or in the vehicle manual.
The recommended pressure for your front and rear tires may not be the same.
You will also see that two types of pressure are indicated:
Normalized pressure: this is the standard pressure
Loaded pressure: to be adopted when the vehicle is particularly loaded, for example when going on holiday.
The pressure is indicated in the pressure unit used in the country you live in: in BAR or in PSI (1 bar = 14.50 psi).
The risks of incorrect tire pressure
The manufacturer's recommendations are essential for your safety, and you should refer to them whenever you check the pressure of your tires.
Otherwise, their performance may be reduced, especially in the following cases:
Correct tire pressure: a safe, economical and responsible move
A tire inflated to the recommended tire pressure improves safety, is more economical in use, and is better for the environment.Â
And since a tire loses some of its pressure through natural causes (typically around 0,07 bars per month), regular checking is necessary.
If your vehicle was manufactured after 2014, it should be equipped with a TPMS (tire Pressure Monitoring System) that alerts you when your tires are under-inflated. However, it is recommended that you do not wait for this signal to worry about the correct pressure of your tires.
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FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
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The correct answer is specific to your vehicle: find it on the tire information placard inside your driver's door jamb. For most passenger cars in Canada, recommended cold pressures are between 30 and 36 PSI. Some light trucks and SUVs are 35–40 PSI. EVs and vehicles with heavy loads may specify 40+ PSI. Your front and rear pressures may differ—the placard shows both. Specific numbers from the internet, including general recommendations, should never override the vehicle manufacturer's placard, which was determined by testing your specific vehicle.
Front and rear pressure specifications differ when the vehicle's weight distribution is uneven between axles, or when the vehicle's handling characteristics are tuned to specific front/rear grip balance. Front-heavy vehicles (most FWD cars) often benefit from slightly different front/rear pressures. Some vehicles also specify different loaded vs. unloaded pressures. The vehicle manufacturer determines these through testing—follow the placard specifications exactly rather than defaulting to a single pressure for all four tires.
Many vehicle placards specify two pressures: a standard (normal) pressure and a 'maximum load' or 'loaded' pressure. When carrying full occupancy plus significant luggage, use the loaded pressure specification. This is typically 4–6 PSI higher than the standard spec and compensates for the increased weight. Inflating to loaded spec prevents the tire from being crushed under extra weight, reducing heat buildup and maintaining proper contact patch geometry. Return to standard pressure once the load is reduced.
The target pressure from the vehicle placard doesn't change seasonally—but the actual pressure in the tire does, because air contracts in cold. The placard pressure is always a cold pressure target. In winter, check pressure more frequently and adjust upward after cold snaps to maintain the placard specification. Your TPMS may activate more often in winter as temperatures drop—this is normal and means you should check and inflate, not ignore the alert. Don't set a higher 'base' pressure to try to compensate for expected winter drops; always work from the cold placard figure.
These are all units of pressure. PSI (pounds per square inch) is the most common in North American consumer contexts—used on most Canadian tire pressure gauges and vehicle placards. kPa (kilopascals) is the SI metric unit: 1 PSI = approximately 6.9 kPa, so 32 PSI = approximately 221 kPa. Bar is common in European contexts: 1 bar = 14.5 PSI, so 2.3 bar = approximately 33 PSI. Most Canadian vehicle placards list PSI; some dual-language or metric-focused vehicles list kPa. Most modern tire gauges display multiple units—verify which you're reading before adjusting pressure.