Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications
When you inflate the tires to the recommended inflation pressures, the factory-installed wheels and tires are designed to handle loads to the tire's rated load capacity. Incorrect tire pressures, or under-inflated tires, can cause the following conditions:
- Vehicle handling problems
- Poor fuel economy
- Shortened tire life
- Tire overloading
Check the tire pressure when the following apply:
- The tires are cool.
- The vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 hours.
- The vehicle has been driven less than 1.6 km (1 mi).
Check the tires monthly or before any extended trip. Adjust the tire pressure to the specifications on the tire placard. Refer to Label - Vehicle Certification (w/o RPO Z49) or Label - Vehicle Certification (w/RPO Z49) . Install the valve caps or extensions on the valves. These keep out dust and water.
The kilopascal (kPa) is the metric term for tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure may be printed in both kilopascal (kPa) and psi. One psi equals 6.9 kPa.
| kPa | psi | kPa | psi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 20 | 215 | 31 |
| 145 | 21 | 220 | 32 |
| 155 | 22 | 230 | 33 |
| 160 | 23 | 235 | 34 |
| 165 | 24 | 240 | 35 |
| 170 | 25 | 250 | 36 |
| 180 | 26 | 275 | 40 |
| 185 | 27 | 310 | 45 |
| 190 | 28 | 345 | 50 |
| 200 | 29 | 380 | 55 |
| 205 | 30 | 415 | 60 |
| Conversion: 6.9 kPa=1 psi | |||
Tires with a higher than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
- A hard ride
- Tire bruising
- Rapid tread wear at the center of the tire
Tires with a lower than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
- A tire squeal on turns
- Hard steering
- Rapid wear and uneven wear on the edge of the tread
- Tire rim bruises and tire rim rupture
- Tire cord breakage
- High tire temperatures
- Reduced vehicle handling
- High fuel consumption
- Soft riding
Unequal pressure on the same axle can cause the following conditions:
- Uneven braking
- Steering lead
- Reduced vehicle handling
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.