Running the wrong tyre pressure is one of the easiest things to get wrong, and one of the easiest to fix. Too low and you burn more fuel and wear the edges of your tread faster, too high and you lose grip in the middle of the tyre. Here's where to find your correct pressure, how often to check it, and what's different about driving in Auckland.
Where to Find Your Correct Tyre Pressure
Check the Door Jamb, Not the Tyre
Open the driver's door and look at the sticker on the door jamb or pillar. This placard shows the pressure your manufacturer actually recommends for your car, not the maximum pressure moulded into the tyre's sidewall, which is a different number entirely.
Check the Owner's Manual
If the door sticker is faded or missing, your owner's manual will list the same figures, usually with separate numbers for front and rear, and sometimes a higher figure for full load or towing.
Ask Us to Check
Not sure, or driving a car without the original documents? Bring it into our Onehunga workshop and we'll look up the correct pressure for your exact make and model, free of charge.
Typical PSI Ranges by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | Typical PSI Range |
|---|---|
| Small hatchback / sedan | 28–32 PSI |
| Mid-size sedan / wagon | 30–34 PSI |
| SUV / crossover | 32–36 PSI |
| Ute / light truck (unladen) | 35–40 PSI |
| Ute / light truck (loaded) | Often higher, check placard |
These are general ranges only. Always use the figure on your door jamb placard or owner's manual for your specific vehicle, not this table.
Why Auckland's Climate Matters
Tyre pressure changes with temperature, air inside the tyre expands in the heat and contracts in the cold. Auckland's mix of warm, humid summers and cooler, wet winters means your tyres can genuinely need a top-up between seasons, even if you haven't hit anything or noticed a slow leak.
On hot days, especially after a long drive on the motorway, tyres can read a few PSI higher than when they're cold, this is normal, but always check pressure when the tyres are cold (before driving, or at least a few hours after) for an accurate reading. Checking more often through temperature swings, roughly once a month, is the simplest way to stay on top of it.
Not Sure What Your Tyres Should Be Running?
Drop into our Onehunga workshop and we'll check your pressure and top it up for free, no obligation, no appointment needed.
Call 09 622 2727What Happens If Pressure Is Wrong
Underinflated tyres flex more as they roll, which builds up heat, wears the outer edges of the tread faster, increases fuel consumption, and raises the risk of a blowout, especially at motorway speed.
Overinflated tyres ride harder, wear the centre of the tread faster than the edges, and reduce the amount of tyre actually gripping the road, which matters most in the wet.
Either way, uneven pressure is one of the more common causes of the uneven tyre wear we cover in our 7 Signs You Need New Tyres guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my tyre pressure?
Roughly once a month, and before any long trip. It's also worth checking after a big temperature change, since pressure drifts with the weather even if the tyre has no leak.
Should I use the pressure written on the tyre itself?
No. The number on the tyre sidewall is the maximum safe pressure for that tyre, not the recommended pressure for your car. Always use the figure on your door jamb placard or owner's manual instead.
Does tyre pressure affect fuel economy?
Yes. Underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which means your engine works harder and uses more fuel to maintain the same speed.
Is it bad to check pressure right after driving?
Driving heats up the air inside your tyres and raises the reading, so a check straight after a drive will read higher than the true figure. For an accurate check, test when the tyres are cold.
This article is general guidance only and doesn't replace an in-person check. For an accurate reading and top-up specific to your vehicle, visit Auckland Tyres in Onehunga.