October 5, 2026Poorly inflated tires wear unevenly, increase fuel consumption and reduce grip. Checking takes 5 minutes. Here is how.
What pressure is recommended for my vehicle?
The recommended pressure is NOT the one printed on the tire sidewall: that is the maximum pressure the tire can handle. The correct pressure is shown on a sticker on the driver's door jamb (sometimes also inside the fuel door or in the owner's manual).
Front and rear pressures can be different. On some SUVs and pickup trucks, the recommended pressure also changes with the load.
How to measure correctly
For a reliable reading, always check the pressure cold: before driving, or after less than 2 km. Heat from the road expands the air and throws the reading off by about 4 to 6 PSI.
- ✓Remove the valve cap
- ✓Press the gauge firmly onto the valve (a hiss means it is not seated properly)
- ✓Read the pressure in PSI or kPa, depending on your gauge
- ✓Compare it with the value on the door sticker
- ✓Adjust: add air, or release some by pressing on the valve core
- ✓Check again after adjusting
How Quebec's cold affects pressure
According to Transport Canada, tire pressure drops by about 1 PSI (7 kPa) for every 5 °C drop in temperature. Between summer (+30 °C) and a winter morning (-25 °C), you can lose about 11 PSI, close to a third of the recommended pressure for most vehicles. That is why the TPMS light often comes on in the fall even though there is no leak.
- ✓Check the pressure at the start of the cold season and after each severe cold snap
- ✓Ideal frequency: once a month
- ✓Don't forget the spare tire
