How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check
tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly in ated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly in ated even when they are
underin ated. Check the tire’s in ation 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 rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
in ation pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you over ll 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.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your
vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and in ated to the in ation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire in ation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire in ation
pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire in ation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is signi cantly under-in ated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and in ate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a signi cantly under-in ated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-in ation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability.
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