What Is the Perfect Tire Pressure for Max Gas Mileage?

Your tires have a huge impact on the performance of your car. Whether you’re taking a long road trip, or driving through your small home town, it’s important to have the right tire pressure. But what is the perfect tire pressure for max gas mileage?

The amount of tire pressure for max gas mileage definitely depends on the size and type of your tire, as well as the make of your car. The typically recommended level of PSI (pound per square inch) in your tires is around 30 to 35 PSI. If your tires are under-inflated they add resistance and you will burn more fuel and make your engine harder than it should. If they are overinflated, there could also be damage to your car and engine.

There are lots of different factors that go into what the perfect tire pressure is for YOUR tires. Overall, you can use your PSI and your perfect tire pressure number to really get the most out of your car and out of your tires. Read on to find out how to tell what that number is for your car!

PSI for YOUR Tires

When you take a close look at your tires, you will find that there is a number stamped into the wall of your tires. This is the maximum air pressure that you can put into the tire. HOWEVER, it is not the perfect tire pressure number for your tires!

On the driver’s side door, you will find that there is a sticker that has the potentially perfect PSI for your tires according to the vehicle type. This PSI number will generally help you get better gas mileage for your car. If your vehicle still has the original owner’s manual, you can also find the optimal tire pressure number there.

Steps to Find the Perfect PSI

All things considered, your vehicle may not have these numbers written on the door, or in the owner’s manual. This means you’ll have to do a little experimenting with the amount of pressure you put in your tires.

Here are some steps you can take to make certain that your tires get the perfect tire pressure:

• Step 1: Find the number on the wall of your tire that is the max air pressure.
• Step 2: Fill your tires to two PSI less than that max number.
• Step 3: Drive your car in your normal routine and keep track of your gas mileage.
• Step 4: Add one PSI at a time to your tires. Repeat step three for each PSI to see if your vehicle performance improves. DO NOT ADD MORE THAN ONE OR TWO PSI TO YOUR TIRES. DO NOT GO OVER THE MAX PSI.  

Whichever number generates the best gas mileage for your car is the perfect tire pressure for your car! This little experiment is easy, however, it can be a bit time consuming. Just be certain that you don’t put too much air pressure, or exceed the max PSI for your tires!

Weather Impact

Not only can your perfect tire pressure number fluctuate over time, but it can also change with the weather! That’s right, your tires can decrease around 1 PSI per ten degrees (Fahrenheit) the temperatures drops around your vehicle.

The air isn’t leaking from your tires, however! The air inside is condensing and takes up less space during the colder months. Even if you have a set of the best all season tires, you may find your perfect tire pressure number going up or down based on the weather!

Just as your tire pressure can change in the winter, it can also change in the warmer months as well. Warmer months will see a rise in your tire pressure because the air is expanding in your tires. Meaning for every ten degrees the temperature rises, you will GAIN 1 PSI. 

Checking PSI More!

When it comes to keeping track of the tire pressure in your vehicle, you can learn to rely on the little light that shines when your tire pressure is low. OR, you can include checking your tires’ PSI more frequently.

All in all, essential car maintenance for your vehicle should include checking the wear and tear on your tires. Furthermore, you can start to include your tire pressure during these maintenance routines on your car! That way you can see the rise and fall of your PSI over a certain period of time.

Adding the step of checking your PSI to your general car maintenance will also allow you to stay safer on the road. Your tire pressure won’t fall below any recommended numbers, as well as staying under the max PSI for your tires. This way you can rest assured you are driving your car at the optimal tire pressure at all times!