Should I use the pressure on the tire sidewall or the door label?
Quick answer
Use the vehicle-specific pressure on its tire-information placard or in the owner’s manual, not the tire sidewall maximum. The vehicle recommendation may differ between front and rear tires. The sidewall marking is the maximum permissible pressure for that tire, not the target for your vehicle. Use the vehicle’s specified cold pressure. [S1]
The question, the details, the next step.
I’m checking my tires and see one pressure number on the tire sidewall and another on the door label. Which one should I use?
Use the pressure specified for your vehicle on its tire-information placard or in the owner’s manual. The sidewall marking is the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire; it is not automatically the right setting for your vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation is vehicle-specific and accounts for factors such as load, ride, and handling. [S1]
If the numbers differ, don’t treat the sidewall maximum as your target. Use the vehicle’s specified cold pressure. [S1]
Why wouldn’t the tire’s own number be the right one? It’s printed right there on the tire.
The two markings answer different questions. The tire sidewall marking gives the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire. The vehicle placard or manual gives the pressure recommended for that vehicle. Those values can differ, and the vehicle’s recommendation may also differ between front and rear tires. [S1]
For example, if the sidewall shows a higher number than the vehicle placard, don’t assume the higher number is better or that it overrides the placard. Check the vehicle’s specified cold pressure and the entry for the tire position you’re checking. [S1]
Where should I look, and how do I make sure I’m reading the right entry?
Look for the vehicle’s tire-information placard or check the owner’s manual. The placard or manual provides the vehicle-specific specification. [S1] If the information lists separate front and rear pressures, use the entry for the tires you’re checking. [S1]
You can record the values from your own vehicle’s placard or manual like this:
Vehicle: [year, make, model] Source checked: [placard / owner’s manual] Front specified cold pressure: [value shown] Rear specified cold pressure: [value shown] Sidewall maximum, for comparison only: [value shown]
This is a recording template, not a substitute specification. Don’t copy a pressure from another vehicle or assume every tire position uses the same value.
What if I can’t find the door label, or it’s difficult to read?
Check the owner’s manual for the vehicle’s specified cold pressure and to confirm the placard information. [S1] If the manual doesn’t resolve the question, the information available here cannot identify the right pressure for your particular vehicle. Don’t guess from the sidewall maximum; the correct value is vehicle-specific. [S1]
Once you have the specification, check whether it distinguishes front and rear tires, and keep the sidewall maximum separate. That way, you can tell the tire’s maximum permissible pressure apart from the vehicle’s recommended setting.
A practical checklist
Find the vehicle’s tire-information placard or check the owner’s manual.
Use the vehicle’s specified cold pressure, not the sidewall maximum.
Check whether the vehicle lists different pressures for front and rear tires.
If the manual does not resolve an unreadable or missing placard, don’t guess from the sidewall marking.
A few more useful answers
Is the sidewall pressure a target I should try to reach?
No. It is the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire. Use the vehicle-specific recommendation from the placard or owner’s manual instead. [S1]
Can front and rear tires have different recommended pressures?
Yes. The vehicle specification may differ between front and rear tires, so check the relevant entry on the placard or in the manual. [S1]
Does this guide tell me the correct pressure for my particular vehicle?
No. It explains which source to use but does not provide a pressure for a specific vehicle. Read that vehicle’s placard or owner’s manual. [S1]
Sources
References used for this guide.
- [S1] Tire Information Placard: Vehicle Pressure Versus Tire Sidewall Maximum static.nhtsa.gov · Checked