Tire Pressure

Proper tire pressure is essential for safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four main areas are affected by improper tire pressure:

• Safety
• Fuel Economy
• Tire Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability

Safety

• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause crashes.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can cause overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces the tire's ability to absorb shock. Objects on the road and potholes can cause tire damage or failure.
• Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect vehicle handling and may fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressure may cause steering problems. You may lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressure from one side of the vehicle to the other may cause the vehicle to pull to the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recommended cold tire pressure.

Both underinflation and overinflation affect vehicle stability and may cause a sluggish or overly sensitive steering response.

NOTE:

• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause unstable and unpredictable steering response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the vehicle to drift left or right.

Fuel Economy

Underinflated tires increase tire rolling resistance, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

Tire Tread Wear

Incorrect cold tire pressure may cause abnormal tread wear and reduced tread life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.

Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability

Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Overinflation produces a harsh and uncomfortable ride.

Tire Pressure

The correct cold tire pressure is shown on the label on the driver's side center pillar or the driver's door edge.

At least once a month:

• Check and adjust tire pressure using a good quality pocket gauge. Do not rely on visual inspection to determine proper inflation. Tires may appear to be properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
• Inspect tires for signs of wear or visible damage.

The inflation pressure specified on the label is always the "cold tire pressure." Cold tire internal pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been operated for at least three hours, or after driving less than 1 mile (1.6 km) following at least three hours of sitting. Cold tire pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pressure molded on the sidewall.

Check tire pressure more often when outside air temperatures vary widely, since tire pressure changes with temperature.

Tire pressure changes approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) change in air temperature. Take this into account when checking tire pressure in the garage, especially in winter.

Example: if the garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature = 32°F (0°C), then the cold tire pressure must be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) of this outside temperature difference.

Tire pressure may increase by 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation. Do NOT reduce this normal pressure increase, or your tire pressure will be too low.