Checking your Tyre Pressure

The correct tyre pressure is essential for staying safe on the road. You should check your tyre pressure regularly, at least once a month, as well as before any long journeys. The right tyre pressure can also extend the life of your tyres, as well as providing improved fuel economy.

How to find your vehicle’s recommended tyre pressure

Find the right tyre pressure for your specific vehicle make and model by simply entering your registration number into the search tool above. Alternatively, you can refer to your vehicle handbook. Whether you’re looking for a Ford Fiesta tyre pressure or BMW tyre pressure, you can find the pounds per square inch (PSI) in the car’s handbook.

Another way of finding tyre pressure is by looking for the tyre sticker, which can either be found on the inside of the fuel cover or the side of the passenger door. This can be used to find the Mercedes tyre pressure, VW tyre pressure, Fiat tyre pressure or any other car's tyre pressure.

There will be different settings for fully loaded vehicles, so remember to check these, especially if carrying extra passengers or any additional weight, such as luggage. These should be checked using a tyre pressure gauge or at a local petrol station. You can also bring your car along to any National Tyres and Autocare branch and we'll check and adjust them FREE of charge.

How to check your current tyre pressure

Now you know what your correct tyre pressure should be, it’s time to check the current pressure of your tyres. The easiest way is to use tyre pressure gauge – you can find these at petrol stations, buy one for personal use or head to a National garage. If your checking the pressure yourself, remove the valve caps on each wheel and insert the gauge into the valve and push until the hissing noise stops.

When you see the PSI reading, compare it to what the recommended PSI should be for your vehicle, so you know whether to inflate or deflate your tyres.

How to inflate your tyres

If your tyres need inflating, you can use the tyre inflator at your local petrol station or buy one to use at home. Start by attaching the hose fitting to the valve and tighten to avoid air from escaping. If you’re using a manual inflator, step on the pump until the display shows the correct PSI.

If you’re using a digital inflator, it should stop once the correct PSI has been reached. If it doesn’t stop automatically, monitor the reading so you can stop it manually. Once complete, remove the hose and place the valve cap back on.

How to deflate your tyres

If you need to deflate your tyres, at petrol stations, you’ll see a separate hose for releasing air. Set the gauge to the recommended PSI for your vehicle and then connect it to the valve. Keep pushing down until enough air is released and reattach the valve cap afterwards.

Top Tyre Pressure FAQs

What if my tyre pressure is too low?

While underinflated tyres are not necessarily illegal, under inflation can cause uneven tyre wear and could mean the full width of your tyre tread may not be legal. Also, if the TPMS warning light is lit, you’ll need to check your tyre pressures as soon as possible to stay safe and keep your tyres in good condition for longer. It’s worth noting that warning lights may cause your vehicle to fail itsMOT.

Under-inflated tyres can impact road handling, making it harder to steer round corners. Your tyres are also more likely to overheat, which increases the risk of a blowout and being involved in a tyre-related accident. Did you know that dangerous tyres lead to around 5,000 convictions, 900 casualties, and 160 deaths or serious injuries every year?

Under-inflated tyres can also affect braking performance and increase your fuel consumption, so doing simple checks will not only keep you safe, but also save you money. Check out our blog on Why tyre pressure can drop.

What if my tyres are overinflated?

Overinflated tyres are not necessarily illegal, but over-inflated tyres can also cause uneven tyre wear, especially to the centre of the tyre, and could mean that the full width of your tyre tread may not be legal. Overinflation can cause the sidewalls and tread to become harder, resulting in reduced traction and an uncomfortable ride, increasing the risk of a tyre blowout and a potential accident.

The decrease in contact with the road causes the engine to work harder, increases fuel consumption and may affect braking performance, so doing simple checks will not only keep you safe, but also save you money.

Is tyre pressure checked in an MOT?

Tyre pressures are not checked in a vehicle's MOT, but if you have a faulty TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system), this will fail the MOT.

When should the tyre pressure monitoring system be set?

Modern cars are fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which will alert you if the tyre pressure increases or decreases. The pressure levels for the TPMS should be set when the tyres are cold and aren’t under a heavy load. Therefore, an ideal scenario for the system to be set is on a flat surface with only the driver in the car before a journey is started.

Can I drive with the tyre pressure warning light on?

If your tyre pressure warning light appears, you should pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. You can then check your tyre pressures externally, to see if any tyres are underinflated or have a puncture. Under-inflated tyres will wear faster and give you less control of the car whilst driving. Therefore, it’s vital to check your tyres if the warning light comes on.

If the car is under heavy load, then the warning light may appear. This is due to the pressures slightly changing due to the increased weight load. However, you should still check your tyres before starting or continuing your journey.

Tyre Pressures by Vehicle

At National, using our Tyre Pressures lookup, we can find out the specific tyre pressure needed for your tyres specific to your manufacturer. Our tyre pressure lookup can find the tyre pressures for the below vehicles, and many other car manufacturers.

All you need to do is enter your vehicle registration to find tyre pressures for your vehicle online.