What is the appropriate tire pressure setting for a car?

[MasonDella]

It is appropriate to set the car tire pressure between 240 to 250kpa. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire, and the level of tire pressure plays a significant role in the performance and power of the car. The effects of overinflated tires are: 1. Reduced friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; 2. Causing steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; 3. Accelerating wear on the central tread pattern, shortening the tire's lifespan. The effects of underinflated tires are: 1. Increased friction coefficient with the road surface; 2. Making the steering wheel heavy and prone to deviation; 3. Increased movement of various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heating due to excessive rolling.

[Jamie]

Actually, the proper tire pressure varies for each vehicle. When I help friends check their cars, I always look for the sticker on the door frame first. For most sedans, 2.3 bar for the front tires and 2.5 bar for the rear tires are the safest settings, just like my SUV which maintains these values year-round. Before hitting the highway in summer, it's wise to release 0.1 bar to prevent blowouts, while in winter, adding 0.2 bar can help prevent skidding. The spare tire should be inflated to at least 3.0 bar for safety, but remember that higher tire pressure isn't always better—too much can make the ride uncomfortably bumpy and strain the suspension. Always use a mechanical gauge to measure cold tires for accuracy, as hot tires can read about 0.3 bar higher. If you notice significant uneven wear, there's an 80% chance you'll need to check both tire pressure and wheel alignment.

[PresleyLee]

Tire pressure depends on the vehicle model and load. For vans carrying cargo, front tires should be inflated to 3.0 bar, while 2.8 bar is sufficient when unloaded. New cars often have higher tire pressure, so remember to release some air after pickup to avoid back discomfort from excessive bouncing. I recommend using a pen-type tire pressure gauge monthly, especially after rain as wheel oxidation can cause slow leaks. For modified rims, maintain 2.6 bar for thin tires above 19 inches - 20-inch rims only need 2.4 bar to prevent bulges. Vehicles with TPMS shouldn't ignore warnings, and always reset the system after patching tires.

[ManuelDella]

The proper tire pressure is when the tire's contact area just fully spreads out while driving. Here's a practical method: Inflate the tires to normal pressure when the car is cold, then drive 10 kilometers and feel the tread. If both the edges and center are warm, the pressure is just right. Pure electric vehicles should have 0.2bar higher pressure than gasoline cars, otherwise range will drop faster. Run-flat tires are most durable at 2.8bar, but regular tires may burst if over 3.0bar. Different brands have varying pressure recommendations—Michelin soft tires suggest 0.1bar lower than Hankook. Don't forget to keep the spare tire at 3.2bar year-round for emergencies.