Tire Inflation Description
When you inflate the tires to the recommended inflation pressures, the factory-installed wheels and tires are designed to handle loads to the tire's rated load capacity. Incorrect tire pressures, or under-inflated tires, can cause the following conditions:^ Vehicle handling problems
^ Poor fuel economy
^ Shortened tire life
^ Tire overloading
Check the tire pressure when the following apply:
^ The tires are cool.
^ The vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 hours.
^ The vehicle has been driven less than 1.6 km (1 ml).
Check the tires monthly or before any extended trip. Adjust the tire pressure to the specifications on the tire label. Install the valve caps or extensions on the valves. These keep out dust and water.
The kilopascal (kPa) is the metric term for pressure. The tire pressure may be printed in both kilopascal (kPa) and psi. One psi equals 6.9 kPa.
Conversion: 6.9 kPa = 1 psi
INFLATION PRESSURE CONVERSION
140 kPa (20 psi)
145 kPa (21 psi)
155 kPa (22 psi)
160 kPa (23 psi)
165 kPa (24 psi)
170 kPa (25 psi)
180 kPa (26 psi)
185 kPa (27 psi)
190 kPa (28 psi)
200 kPa (29 psi)
205 kPa (30 psi)
215 kPa (31 psi)
220 kPa (32 psi)
230 kPa (33 psi)
235 kPa (34 psi)
240 kPa (35 psi)
250 kPa (36 psi)
275 kPa (40 psi)
310 kPa (45 psi)
345 kPa (50 psi)
380 kPa (55 psi)
415 kPa (60 psi)
Tires with a higher than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
^ A hard ride
^ Tire bruising
^ Rapid tread wear at the center of the tire
Tires with a lower than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
^ A tire squeal on turns
^ Hard steering
^ Rapid wear and uneven wear on the edge of the tread
^ Tire rim bruises and tire rim rupture
^ Tire cord breakage
^ High tire temperatures
^ Reduced vehicle handling
^ High fuel consumption
^ Soft riding
Unequal pressure on the same axle can cause the following conditions:
^ Uneven braking
^ Steering lead
^ Reduced vehicle handling For specific tire and wheel application and tire pressures, refer to TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS.