Tire Pressure (PSI) Quick Reference
Recommended tire pressures for popular vehicles. Always check the sticker on the driver's door jamb for your specific vehicle -- that is the manufacturer's spec, not the number on the tire sidewall.
Where to Find Your Tire Pressure
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is printed on a yellow and white sticker on the driver's door jamb. Open the driver's door and look at the edge of the door frame or the door pillar. This sticker shows the recommended PSI for front and rear tires, plus the spare.
Important: The number molded into the tire sidewall (e.g., "Max 44 PSI") is the maximum pressure the tire can handle -- NOT the recommended pressure for your vehicle. Inflating to that number gives a harsh ride and uneven wear.
Tire Pressure by Vehicle Type
General ranges by vehicle category. Use the vehicle-specific table below for exact specs.
| Vehicle Type | Typical PSI Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / Sedan | 32-36 PSI | Lower end for ride comfort, higher for fuel economy |
| Midsize Sedan | 32-36 PSI | Most common range on the road |
| Crossover / Small SUV | 33-38 PSI | Slightly higher due to vehicle weight |
| Full-Size SUV | 35-40 PSI | Check both loaded and unloaded specs |
| Half-Ton Truck | 35-44 PSI | Varies significantly with payload |
| Heavy-Duty Truck | 50-80 PSI | Front/rear split often very different |
| Sports Car | 32-40 PSI | Front/rear stagger is common |
| Minivan | 33-36 PSI | Check loaded spec when carrying passengers |
What the TPMS light actually means
The warning threshold is not a manufacturer preference. FMVSS 138 (49 CFR 571.138) specifies it, and three of its details are widely misstated.
-
Commonly claimedThe TPMS light means a tyre is "low".
VerifiedIt means a specific amount low. S4.2(a) requires the telltale when pressure falls to "25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure, or the pressure specified in the 3rd column of Table 1 of this standard… whichever is higher." On a 35 psi placard that is roughly 26 psi — a tyre can be several psi down, handling worse and wearing faster, with no light at all.
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Commonly claimedThe light comes on the moment pressure drops.
VerifiedThe standard allows up to twenty minutes. S4.2(a) requires illumination "not more than 20 minutes after" the pressure reaches the threshold. If you check pressures in a cold driveway and the light appears later on the motorway, nothing has gone wrong with the system.
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Commonly claimed25 percent below placard is always the trigger.
VerifiedIt is a floor as well as a percentage. The rule takes the 25 percent figure or Table 1's minimum for that tyre type, "whichever is higher", so on vehicles with low placard pressures the light can come on before the tyre is 25 percent down.
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Tire Pressure by Vehicle
Recommended cold tire pressure for popular vehicles with standard tire sizes. Your spec may differ if running non-OEM tires.
| Vehicle | Front (PSI) | Rear (PSI) | Tire Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry (2018+) | 35 | 35 | 235/45R18 |
| Toyota RAV4 (2019+; Hybrid uses 36/36) | 35 | 35 | 225/65R17 |
| Honda CR-V (2023+) | 35 | 32 | 235/60R18 |
| Ford F-150 (2021+; HD Payload Pkg uses 42) | 35 | 35 | 275/65R18 |
| Ford Explorer (2020+) | 33 | 33 | 255/65R18 |
| Ford Escape (2020+) | 33 | 33 | 225/65R17 |
| Chevy Silverado 1500 (2019+; LT-tire trims like Trail Boss run 41-45) | 35 | 35 | 265/65R18 |
| Chevy Equinox (2018+) | 35 | 35 | 225/65R17 |
| Nissan Altima (2019+) | 33 | 33 | 215/55R17 |
| Nissan Rogue (2021+; 18-19" wheels use 33/30) | 36 | 33 | 235/65R17 |
| Hyundai Tucson (2022+) | 35 | 35 | 235/55R19 |
| Kia Sportage (2023+) | 35 | 35 | 235/55R19 |
| Subaru Outback (2020+) | 35 | 33 | 225/65R17 |
| Subaru Forester (2019+; 18" trims use 35/33) | 33 | 32 | 225/60R17 |
| RAM 1500 (2019+) | 36 | 36 | 275/55R20 |
| Tesla Model 3 (2024+) | 42 | 42 | 235/45R18 |
| Tesla Model Y (2023+) | 42 | 42 | 255/45R19 |
| Mazda CX-5 (2023+) | 35 | 35 | 225/55R19 |
These are the most common placard values for the listed tire size. Pressures vary by trim, wheel size, and load package -- the sticker inside YOUR driver's door jamb always wins.
Cold vs Hot Tire Pressure
The spec on your door jamb is for cold tires -- meaning the car has been parked for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile.
- Tire pressure changes about 1 PSI per 10 degrees F of air-temperature change on passenger tires
- Driving heats tires and can raise pressure by 3-5 PSI -- this is normal and expected
- Never bleed air from hot tires to reach the cold spec -- they'll be underinflated when they cool
- Check pressure in the morning before driving for the most accurate reading
Seasonal Pressure Changes
Tire pressure drops in cold weather and rises in heat. This is the most common cause of TPMS warnings in fall and spring.
- For every 10 degrees F drop in temperature, tires lose about 1 PSI
- A 30-degree overnight temperature swing (summer to fall) can trigger the TPMS light
- Check and adjust tire pressure monthly, and whenever seasons change
- Nitrogen-filled tires are slightly more stable but still affected by temperature
TPMS Light Troubleshooting
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light means at least one tire is 25% or more below the recommended PSI. Here's what to do.
- Steady TPMS light: At least one tire is low. Check all four tires (plus the spare if your vehicle monitors it) and inflate to spec.
- Flashing TPMS light (then stays on): The TPMS system itself has a fault -- likely a dead sensor battery or sensor malfunction. Still check pressures, but the system needs service.
- Light comes on in cold mornings, goes off later: Borderline-low tire pressure. Temperature drop pushes it below the threshold, and driving heats the tire enough to clear it. Add 2-3 PSI to the low tire.
- After a tire rotation or new tires: Most vehicles need a TPMS relearn. See our TPMS reset guide for procedures by make.
Sources
Documents this page was checked against. How we verify.
- FMVSS 138, 49 CFR 571.138, "Tire pressure monitoring systems"S4.2(a) requires the low-pressure telltale within 20 minutes of a tyre reaching 25 percent below the manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure, or the Table 1 minimum for that tyre type, whichever is higher. Official text via the government eCFR.