What Tire Pressure to Store Tires At

What pressure should you use for storage?

For a vehicle that will sit for weeks or months, the usual recommendation is to raise the inflation pressure well above the everyday driving value. A common target is the maximum permissible inflation pressure molded on the sidewall, which the federal standards define as the maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated. At that level, the tire keeps a rounder footprint under the vehicle's weight and the tread is less likely to take a flat spot. The basics of reading a valve and measuring pressure are covered in tire pressure basics.

The number on the door jamb sticker is the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for the road, and it is the correct value to use when you drive. It is not a storage target. Federal fuel economy guidance is explicit that you should use the pressure on the sticker, not the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall, for normal driving. During storage you can legitimately use the sidewall ceiling, then come back down to the sticker before you drive. The difference between the two numbers is explained in tire pressure max vs recommended.

Why a higher pressure helps

A tire sustains the vehicle's load through the air inside it. The federal definition of load rating is the maximum load a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure. More pressure means the carcass holds the load with less sidewall flex, and less flex means the rubber does not take a permanent set while the vehicle sits. Long periods at low pressure are what produce tire flat spots.

The tire pressure monitoring system provides a useful reference for how far a tire can fall before it is considered significantly under-inflated. Under Standard No. 138, the system must warn the driver when pressure drops to 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure. Storing a tire far below the driving value keeps it deep inside that warning zone for months, which is the opposite of what you want. A heavily under-inflated tire lets the sidewall crease under the vehicle's weight, and that crease can damage the carcass even before you drive again.

What the markings tell you

The maximum permissible inflation pressure is not a single universal number. The older Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for bias-ply tires and vehicles built from 1949 through 1975 allows maximum permissible inflation pressures of 32, 36, 40, or 60 psi. Modern radial tires for light vehicles carry their own maximum pressure molded on the sidewall, and that is the figure to use for storage.

Because the maximum is specific to each tire model and size, read it off the tire itself rather than assume a value. The pressure on the sidewall is the ceiling, while the pressure on the door sticker is the driving target. If the two are different, that is normal: the sidewall ceiling is set by the tire standard, while the sticker reflects the vehicle's weight and handling. Learn where to find each marking in tire sidewall markings.

Passenger tires vs light truck and extra load tires

The regulations divide tires into categories, and the category affects the pressure range. Passenger car tires are intended for cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Light truck (LT) tires are designated for lightweight trucks and multipurpose vehicles, and separate standards cover tires for heavier vehicles and trailers. The classification is printed on the tire, so the storage pressure you pick should come from that tire's own sidewall, not from a generic number or from another vehicle's sticker.

An extra load tire, also called a reinforced tire, is designed to operate at higher loads and higher inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire. That higher range is molded into the same sidewall marking, so an extra load tire in storage can be inflated to its own maximum, which will generally sit above the maximum of a standard tire in the same size. The same goes for LT tires on a truck: use the LT maximum. The reasoning behind these higher-pressure designs is covered in extra load tires XL and in the light truck tires guide.

What to check before and after storage

Before storage, check each tire with an accurate gauge and bring it up to the sidewall maximum. If the vehicle stays on its wheels, do all four tires so the load is shared evenly. If the tires come off the vehicle, store them upright in a cool, dark place and keep them at the same high pressure. Cleaning and covering the tires helps protect them from sunlight and ozone; see tire storage tips for the full routine.

After storage, lower every tire back to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure, which you will find on the door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual. Drive a short distance, then recheck the pressures. A tire that lost air during storage should be topped up and inspected for leaks, and the TPMS will alert you if any tire is 25 percent below the recommended cold inflation pressure. New pressures can also be affected by temperature, so revisit the tire pressure and temperature page before a long trip.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Should I store tires at the maximum pressure on the sidewall?

Yes, for the storage period. The maximum permissible inflation pressure is the ceiling defined by the tire standard, and it is the safest level to keep the tire round while it sits. Before you drive, lower each tire back to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure on the door sticker.

Can I store tires mounted on the vehicle?

Yes. On the vehicle, the weight is the problem, so raising the pressure is exactly what protects the contact patch. Off the vehicle, the same high pressure keeps the tire from deforming while it rests. Either way, reset the pressure to the sticker value before driving.

How low is too low for storage?

The tire pressure monitoring standard treats 25 percent below the vehicle's recommended cold inflation pressure as significant under-inflation, so that is a reasonable floor to avoid during storage. A tire that low, or lower, will flex more under the vehicle's weight and is more likely to develop a flat spot or sidewall crease.

Do extra load (XL) tires need a different storage pressure?

Extra load tires, also called reinforced tires, are designed to operate at higher loads and higher inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire. Use the maximum pressure molded on that tire's own sidewall rather than the maximum of a standard tire in the same size.

Should I recheck pressure after storage?

Yes. Return every tire to the recommended cold inflation pressure, drive a short distance, and recheck. A tire that lost air during storage should be topped up and inspected for a slow leak, and the TPMS will warn you if any tire is 25 percent below the recommended pressure.

Does cold weather change storage pressure?

Cold air contracts, so a tire stored in a cold garage may show a lower pressure when you check it. Check and adjust the pressure to the sidewall maximum before storage, and then reset to the recommended driving pressure before you hit the road.