Is the tire pressure the same for front and rear tires?
2 Answers
The tire pressure is not the same for front and rear tires, but it is better to keep the tire pressure consistent for the left and right tires, allowing for a 0.1 bar margin of error. Taking a typical family car as an example, when carrying two passengers, the standard tire pressure for the front tires is 2.3 bar, and the rear tires also have a standard pressure of 2.3 bar. When the load increases, such as in a fully loaded situation, the tire pressure can be appropriately adjusted. The front tire pressure can be increased to 2.4 bar, and the rear tire pressure can be adjusted to 2.6 bar. The standard tire pressure for each car can be found near the fuel filler cap. The first row in the tire pressure chart indicates the standard tire pressure, which is usually 2.3 bar for most family cars. In reality, whether in winter or summer, there is no need to deliberately increase or decrease the tire pressure. As long as you drive according to the calibrated standard tire pressure, there will be no issues with improper tire pressure.
The tire pressure for the front and rear wheels is usually different, which I understand is due to the uneven weight distribution of the vehicle. When the front wheels bear heavy components like the engine, the pressure is generally set slightly higher. For example, my family car's manual recommends the front tires to be 5-10 kPa higher than the rear ones. Setting them the same may cause issues: uneven tire wear increases replacement frequency, handling deteriorates making the car prone to skidding during sharp turns, leading to accidents, and fuel consumption also rises, wasting money. I always check regularly with a simple tire pressure gauge to ensure the front and rear pressures meet the standards. Additionally, seasonal changes affect air pressure—in summer, the heat causes expansion, so it's necessary to reduce it slightly, while in winter, the opposite applies. Don’t overlook this small maintenance detail, as it can extend tire lifespan by one to two times. Safety first—never cut corners on this detail.
