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— Drive Safe. Get the Power.
Tyre pressure is one of the easiest things you can check on your car — and one of the most overlooked. Most people only notice it when something goes wrong.
But here’s the thing: your tyres can lose pressure slowly over weeks without any obvious sign. No flat, no warning light, just a tyre running soft — and that quietly costs you in fuel, tyre life, and safety.
On New Zealand’s roads — chip seal, wet highways, winding back roads — the difference between correct and incorrect pressure is real. This guide covers everything you need to know, in plain English.
Your tyres are designed to operate within a specific pressure range. Too low or too high — and everything suffers. Here’s what happens in each case:
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There’s no single correct pressure for all vehicles — it depends on your specific car, tyres, and how it carries weight.
Your vehicle manufacturer sets the right pressure. You’ll find it in one of three places:
The most common spot — look for a sticker inside the door frame when you open the driver's door.
The most common spot — look for a sticker inside the door frame when you open the driver's door.
Some vehicles print it here — worth a quick check.
In New Zealand, pressure is shown in kPa (kilopascals) or PSI. Most family cars sit between 190–240 kPa (28–35 PSI) — but always use the number for your vehicle, not a general estimate.
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Pop into any Tyrepower store — we’ll check it for free. No booking required.
You don’t need to be a mechanic. You need a decent gauge and about two minutes.
One thing worth knowing: don’t rely on service station gauges. They take a beating and are often out of calibration. A digital gauge costs under $30 and will serve you well for years.
TYPE
Digital gauge
ACCURACY
NOTES
Easy to read, works in low light — our recommendation
Dial (analogue)
Good
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
Pencil / stick
Basic
Better than guessing, but less precise
Service Station
Often poorly maintained — use your own if possible
TYPE
Digital gauge
Best
Easy to read, works in low light — our recommendation
TYPE
Dial (analogue)
Best
Easy to read, works in low light — our recommendation
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
TYPE
Dial (analogue)
Good
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
TYPE
Dial (analogue)
Best
Easy to read, works in low light — our recommendation
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
TYPE
Pencil / Stick
Basic
Better than guessing, but less precise
TYPE
Dial (analogue)
Best
Easy to read, works in low light — our recommendation
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
TYPE
Service Station
Unreliable
Better than guessing, but less precise
Reliable if kept clean and undamaged
.
All Tyrepower stores nationwide offer free tyre pressure checks — using calibrated professional equipment. While we’re at it, we’ll also check:
We’ll check all four tyres, inspect tread, and give you an honest assessment.
Even without a puncture, tyres lose air through normal permeation. In cooler NZ conditions, a tyre can lose 1–2 kPa per month. In summer or direct sunlight, it’s more.
A tyre that was fine in June can be noticeably soft by August — without anything going wrong.
Check your tyre pressure:
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Temperature affects pressure more than most people realise. For every 10°C change, tyre pressure shifts by around 7 kPa. That’s enough to take you from correctly inflated to under-inflated as New Zealand heads into winter.
Heading away for the holidays? Towing a boat or trailer? Your tyres need more support when you’re carrying more weight.
Your door placard usually shows two sets of pressures: one for normal load, and one for maximum load. When you’ve got extra passengers, luggage, or a trailer on the back, increase to the higher figure.
This is especially important for utes, SUVs, and 4WDs — vehicles that get loaded very differently from one trip to the next.
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The sneakiest problem is a slow leak — a small nail or screw acting as a plug, with pressure dropping quietly over days. Your best defence is knowing what to look for.
Watch out for:
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Most vehicles made from around 2012 onwards have a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It’s useful — but it’s a safety net, not a routine check.
TPMS alerts you when a tyre drops 25% or more below the recommended pressure. By that point, you’re already well under-inflated. Think of the warning light as a last resort, not a substitute for monthly checks.
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EVs are heavier than equivalent petrol cars — the battery adds significant weight — and their instant torque is harder on tyres. That makes correct tyre pressure even more important for EV owners, both for safety and to protect your range.
Most modern EVs sold in New Zealand come with TPMS as standard. If you’re running an EV or thinking about EV-specific tyres, we can help you find the right setup and pressures for your vehicle.
Talk to your local Tyrepower team about the right tyres and pressures for your vehicle.
For more, visit our Tyre FAQs page — but here are the questions we hear most often at our stores
Your tyres are designed to operate within a specific pressure range. Too low or too high — and everything suffers. Here’s what happens in each case:
Most passenger cars run between 190–240 kPa (28–35 PSI), but your exact figure depends on your make, model, and tyres. Check your driver’s door jamb placard — it’s the only number that matters for your vehicle.
At least once a month, plus before long trips, heavy loads, or towing. A good habit: check every second time you fill up with petrol.
Vehicle pulling to one side, vibration in the steering wheel, a ticking or flapping sound at slow speeds, a visibly different-looking tyre, or your TPMS warning light. Higher fuel consumption and uneven tread wear are also common signs.
Start with the sticker on your driver’s door jamb — it’s there on most vehicles. Also check the owner’s manual or the fuel flap. If you can’t locate it, pop in and we’ll look it up for you.
Your door placard usually shows two pressures — one for normal loads, one for maximum load. Increase to the higher figure when carrying extra weight or towing. Ute and 4WD owners should check this regularly, as load varies significantly trip to trip.
Digital gauges are the most accurate and easiest to read. Avoid relying on service station gauges — they’re often poorly maintained. For a guaranteed accurate reading, come into any Tyrepower store — our equipment is professionally calibrated.
Yes — most modern EVs come with TPMS as standard. EV-specific tyres are built to handle the additional weight and torque of electric drivetrains. Talk to your Tyrepower team about the right setup for your vehicle.
Most petrol stations have air pumps. For a free, accurate check using calibrated equipment — plus a look at tread depth and overall tyre condition — visit your nearest Tyrepower store. No booking needed.
These guides work together — read one, bookmark them all.
Correct tyre pressure is one of the simplest things you can do for your car. Two minutes a month. That’s it.
If you’d rather leave it to us — or just want peace of mind — bring your vehicle into your nearest Tyrepower store. We’ll check your pressures, inspect your tread, and give you honest advice. No upsell, no pressure.
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