Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate effectively.
Notice: Do not let anyone tell you
that under-inflation or over-inflation is all right. It is not. If your
tires do not have enough air (under-inflation), you can get the following:
• Too much flexing • Too much heat • Tire overloading • Premature or irregular wear • Poor handling • Reduced fuel economy • Unusual wear • Poor handling • Rough ride • Needless damage from road hazards
A Tire and Loading Information label, located below the door striker on the third door (coupe) or rear edge of the driver's door (sedan and wagon), shows the correct inflation pressure for your tires when they're cold. "Cold" means your car has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). If you have to check tires when they're not cold, add 4 psi (28 kPa) to the number on the sticker.
For additional information regarding how much weight your vehicle can carry, and an example of the tire and loading information label, see Loading the Vehicle . How you load your vehicle affects vehicle handling and ride comfort, never load your vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Do not forget to check the compact spare tire, it should be at 60 psi (420 kPa). For additional information regarding the compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire .
How to Check
Use a good quality gage to check tire pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they're underinflated. Check the tire's inflation pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire inflation pressure matches the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the inflation pressure is low, add air until you reach the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
