How to check tyre pressure for your car: a step-by-step UK guide

At a glance:

• Check tyre pressure when tyres are cold, ideally before driving or within 2 miles of setting off.
• Find your correct tyre pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door pillar, on the fuel-filler flap, or in your vehicle handbook (also called the owner's manual).
• Too low or too high is a problem: under-inflated tyres wear faster and use more fuel, over-inflated tyres grip less.
• Use a pressure gauge or an inflator at home, at a petrol station, or ask for a free pressure check at your local Point S centre.
• Readings are shown in PSI, bar or kPa, compare these to the manufacturer's recommended figure, never the maximum pressure on the tyre sidewall.
• Check tyre pressure monthly and before long journeys, including the spare tyre.

What should my tyre pressure be?

There is no single correct figure. The recommended tyre pressure depends on your car, your tyre size and how heavily the car is loaded. You will find it in one of three places:

• On the sticker on the driver's door pillar
• Inside the fuel-filler flap
• In your vehicle handbook (also called the owner's manual)

Many manufacturers list separate figures for front tyres and rear tyres, and a higher setting for a fully loaded car. Never use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre sidewall . That is the tyre's upper limit, not the manufacturer's recommended pressure. If your gauge uses a different unit from the sticker, use the conversion chart further down this page.

Find your nearest Point S garage now to get your tyres and tyre pressure checked.

Does tyre pressure differ for electric vehicles?

It can. Electric cars are heavier than comparable petrol or diesel models because of the battery, which puts extra strain on the tyres, so the recommended pressure for your car may not match a similar petrol model. Always use the figure on your own car's door sticker or in its handbook. Keep it right: under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which can reduce your electric range. Some electric cars use tyres marked XL (extra load): see what XL means on tyres.

What happens if your tyre pressure is too low or too high?

Both under-inflated and over-inflated tyres affect your safety, your running costs and the life of your tyres. Running a tyre at an unsafe pressure can also breach UK tyre law .

What happens if tyre pressure is too low? (under-inflated tyres)

An under-inflated tyre flexes more and heats up. As a result, it:

• increases rolling resistance and hurts fuel economy
• wears out faster at the edges 
• makes steering and cornering less responsive
• raises the risk of overheating and tyre failure

Low pressure is easy to miss. A tyre can lose up to two PSI a month through natural permeation , so even a well-maintained car can drift out of spec between checks.

What happens if tyre pressure is too high? (over-inflated tyres)

An over-inflated tyre is stiffer and touches the road over a smaller area. As a result, it:

• reduces grip and increases braking distances 
• causes uneven, faster tread wear
• gives a harsher ride

Either way, incorrect tyre inflation puts you, your passengers and other road users at risk. Point S technicians regularly see cars arrive with one or more tyres running well below the recommended pressure, often without the driver noticing.

How to check tyre pressure step by step?

Checking tyre pressure is straightforward once you know where to look and what tools to use. Follow these steps for an accurate reading every time.

Step 1: Find your car's recommended pressure

Before you check anything, you need to know your target figure. Look for a sticker on the driver's door pillar, inside the fuel-filler flap, or check your vehicle handbook. Many car manufacturers list separate pressures for front tyres and rear tyres, and a higher setting for a fully loaded car. Never use the maximum pressure printed on the tyre sidewall, that is the tyre's upper limit, not your manufacturer's recommended correct tyre pressure.

Step 2: Check when the tyres are cold

The best time to check tyre pressure is when your tyres are cold, ideally before you have driven at all that day, or within 2 miles of setting off. Driving heats up the air inside the tyre, which raises the pressure reading and can hide a genuine loss of pressure. Cold weather lowers pressure too, so check more often in autumn and winter. If you have already been driving, wait a few hours  before checking again for an accurate result.

Step 3: Measure the pressure with a gauge

Remove the valve cap and press a pressure gauge firmly onto the valve stem until the hissing stops. You will get a reading in PSI (pounds per square inch), bar or kPa, depending on your gauge. Compare this current pressure against your target figure, then top up or release air as needed using an inflator. Replace the valve cap, or dust cap, afterwards to keep out dirt and moisture.  A pocket gauge is worth keeping in the car with your other car essentials .

Step 4: Add or release air (at home or at a petrol station)

Top up or release air as needed using an inflator, then measure again. No gauge or inflator at home? Most petrol stations have an air pump with a built-in pressure gauge, often free or for a small charge. Set the dial or keypad to your car's recommended tyre pressure, attach the hose to the valve, and let it fill or release air automatically. This is the easiest way to check tyre pressure if you do not own a gauge at home.

Step 5: Refit the valve caps and recheck

Replace the valve cap, or dust cap, on each tyre to keep out dirt and moisture. If your car has a tyre pressure monitoring system, check the handbook: some models need it reset once the pressures are correct.

Tyre pressure chart: PSI, bar and kPa conversion

Tyre pressure is measured differently depending on the gauge or country, so it helps to know how the units relate. Use this chart to convert between a PSI, bar and kPa reading. As a rule of thumb, 1 bar is about 14.5 PSI or 100 kPa.

These figures are a general reference only. Always check your own vehicle handbook or door sticker for the exact tyre pressure your car manufacturer recommends, since this varies by tyre size, model and load.

When is the best time to check tyre pressure?

Always check your pressures when the tyres are cold. Driving generates friction heat that warms the air inside, temporarily inflating the reading and masking actual pressure loss. If you have recently driven more than two miles, let the vehicle sit for a few hours before testing

How often should you check tyre pressure?

Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and always before long journeys. Regular checks catch a slow puncture or gradual loss of pressure before it becomes a safety issue.A quick pressure check is also worth doing before your MOT: see our pre-MOT check guide.  

Don't rely solely on your car's tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light, it flags a problem but is not a substitute for physically checking the pressure yourself. 

Warning signs of low tyre pressure

Watch for these signs that your tyre pressure needs checking:

• A dashboard warning sign or light for low tyre pressure
• The car pulling to one side on a flat road
• Visibly bulging or flattened-looking tyres
• Increased road noise or a harsher ride
• Higher than usual fuel consumption

If pressure keeps dropping even after you have topped it up and the tyre will not hold enough air, you may have a slow puncture. A slow puncture can often be repaired, but it is worth having a professional inspect the tyre rather than continuing to drive on it. If the tyre is worn or damaged, you may need to change your tyres. 

Where to check tyre pressure near me? 

Not sure where to check tyre pressure near you? There are three easy options:

• At home: with your own pressure gauge or inflator (see Steps 3 and 4).
• At a petrol station: use the air pump with a built-in gauge, often free or for a small charge.
• At a Point S centre: use our store locator to find the centre nearest to you.

If you would rather leave it to the experts, every Point S centre offers a free tyre pressure check as part of our service. Our technicians will check all four tyres, including the spare tyre, confirm the pressure matches your manufacturer's specification, and top up or adjust as needed. Find your nearest Point S centre and book your free check today .

Frequently asked questions

How do I know the pressure of my tyres?

Remove the valve cap and press a pressure gauge onto the valve stem until the hissing stops. The gauge will display your current pressure in PSI, bar or kPa. Compare this reading to the correct tyre pressure listed on your door sticker or vehicle handbook to see if you need to add or release air.

Can you check tyre pressure on the dashboard?

Some modern cars show live tyre pressure readings on the dashboard through a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This gives a helpful warning if pressure drops, but it is not a replacement for a manual check with a gauge, since TPMS systems typically only alert you once pressure has dropped significantly.

Where can I check tyre pressure?

You can check tyre pressure at home with your own gauge, at a petrol station air pump, or for free at your local Point S centre. Wherever you check, make sure the tyres are cold for the most accurate reading.

How to check tyre pressure on specific car models?

The method for checking tyre pressure is the same across car manufacturers, but the correct pressure figure differs by model, tyre size and trim. Always check your specific vehicle's door sticker or handbook rather than using a figure from a different car, even if it looks similar.

Why should tyre pressure be checked?

Correct tyre pressure keeps your car safe, improves fuel economy, helps your tyres last longer, and ensures even contact with the road. Incorrect pressure increases the risk of a blowout, longer braking distances and uneven tyre wear.

Keeping on top of your tyre pressure is one of the simplest ways to stay safe and save money on the road. If you are ever unsure, your local Point S team is always on hand for a free, no-obligation check.