What PSI Should Low Profile Tires Be?

Have you ever glanced at the sleek, low profile tires on a sports car and wondered about the right air pressure for them? Ensuring the correct tire pressure is crucial, not just for the tire’s longevity but also for your safety on the road.

What PSI Should Low Profile Tires Be?

Low profile tires often require a slightly different PSI than regular tires. You can use our tire pressure chart to find the proper air pressure using the current OEM tire pressure and load index when changing the tire aspect ratio.

The OEM air pressure and load index can be found on the tire’s sidewall or in the vehicle owner’s manual.

In this article, we’ll delve deep into understanding low profile tires, their recommended pressures, and the significance of maintaining the right PSI. We’ll also provide a handy tire pressure chart and guide you on how to use it effectively.

Let’s take a closer look.

Low Profile Tire Pressure Chart

The following table allows you to find the load carrying capacity (in pounds) of standard tires based on the load index and air pressure.

LOAD INDEX	24 PSI	25 PSI	26 PSI	27 PSI	28 PSI	29 PSI	30 PSI	31 PSI	32 PSI	33 PSI	34 PSI	35 PSI	36 PSI
80	699	728	757	785	814	843	871	900	928	957	986	1014	1043
81	719	749	779	809	839	869	899	929	959	989	1019	1049	1079
82	740	770	801	831	862	893	923	954	984	1015	1046	1076	1107
83	760	792	823	855	886	918	949	981	1012	1044	1075	1107	1138
84	781	814	846	879	911	944	976	1009	1041	1074	1106	1139	1171
85	802	836	869	903	936	970	1003	1037	1070	1104	1137	1171	1204
86	824	859	893	928	962	997	1031	1066	1100	1135	1169	1204	1238
87	846	882	918	954	990	1026	1062	1098	1134	1170	1206	1242	1278
88	869	906	943	980	1017	1054	1091	1128	1165	1202	1239	1276	1313
89	892	930	968	1006	1044	1082	1120	1158	1196	1234	1272	1310	1348
90	916	955	994	1033	1072	1111	1150	1189	1228	1267	1306	1345	1384
91	940	980	1020	1060	1100	1140	1180	1220	1260	1300	1340	1380	1420
92	965	1006	1047	1088	1129	1170	1211	1252	1293	1334	1375	1416	1457
93	990	1032	1074	1116	1158	1200	1242	1284	1326	1368	1410	1452	1494
94	1016	1059	1102	1145	1188	1231	1274	1317	1360	1403	1446	1489	1532
95	1042	1086	1130	1174	1218	1262	1306	1350	1394	1438	1482	1526	1570
96	1069	1114	1159	1204	1249	1294	1339	1384	1429	1474	1519	1564	1609
97	1097	1143	1189	1235	1281	1327	1373	1419	1465	1511	1557	1603	1649
98	1125	1172	1219	1266	1313	1360	1407	1454	1501	1548	1595	1642	1689
99	1154	1202	1250	1298	1346	1394	1442	1490	1538	1586	1634	1682	1730
100	1183	1232	1281	1330	1379	1428	1477	1526	1575	1624	1673	1722	1771
101	1213	1263	1313	1363	1413	1463	1513	1563	1613	1663	1713	1763	1813
102	1243	1295	1347	1399	1451	1503	1555	1607	1659	1711	1763	1815	1867
103	1274	1328	1382	1436	1490	1544	1598	1652	1706	1760	1814	1868	1922
104	1306	1361	1416	1471	1526	1581	1636	1691	1746	1801	1856	1911	1966
105	1338	1395	1452	1509	1566	1623	1680	1737	1794	1851	1908	1965	2022
106	1371	1430	1489	1548	1607	1666	1725	1784	1843	1902	1961	2020	2079
107	1405	1466	1527	1588	1649	1710	1771	1832	1893	1954	2015	2076	2137
108	1440	1503	1566	1629	1692	1755	1818	1881	1944	2007	2070	2133	2196
109	1476	1541	1606	1671	1736	1801	1866	1931	1996	2061	2126	2191	2256
110	1513	1580	1647	1714	1781	1848	1915	1982	2049	2116	2183	2250	2317
111	1551	1620	1689	1758	1827	1896	1965	2034	2103	2172	2241	2310	2379
112	1590	1661	1732	1803	1874	1945	2016	2087	2158	2229	2300	2371	2442
113	1630	1703	1776	1849	1922	1995	2068	2141	2214	2287	2360	2433	2506
114	1671	1746	1821	1896	1971	2046	2121	2196	2271	2346	2421	2496	2571
115	1713	1790	1867	1944	2021	2098	2175	2252	2329	2406	2483	2560	2637
116	1756	1835	1914	1993	2072	2151	2230	2309	2388	2467	2546	2625	2704
117	1800	1881	1962	2043	2124	2205	2286	2367	2448	2529	2610	2691	2772
118	1845	1928	2011	2094	2177	2260	2343	2426	2509	2592	2675	2758	2841
119	1891	1976	2061	2146	2231	2316	2401	2486	2571	2656	2741	2826	2911
120	1938	2025	2112	2199	2286	2373	2460	2547	2634	2721	2808	2895	2982
121	1986	2075	2164	2253	2342	2431	2520	2609	2698	2787	2876	2965	3054
122	2035	2126	2217	2308	2399	2490	2581	2672	2763	2854	2945	3036	3127
123	2085	2178	2271	2364	2457	2550	2643	2736	2829	2922	3015	3108	3201
124	2136	2231	2326	2421	2516	2611	2706	2801	2896	2991	3086	3181	3276
125	2188	2285	2382	2479	2576	2673	2770	2867	2964	3061	3158	3255	3352

How to Use the Tire Pressure Table for Standard Load Tires

1. Identify Your Tire’s Load Index:
   • The load index is a numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry. It’s usually found on the sidewall of the tire, following the tire size. For example, in the tire size “205/55R16 91V”, the load index is “91”.
2. Locate the Load Index on the Table:
   • Scan the first column of the table until you find the load index that matches the one on your tire.
3. Locate the Load Carrying Capacity on the Table:
   • Once you’ve located the correct load index row, move horizontally across the row to find the corresponding OEM tire pressure. The table cell that aligns with the OEM load index and tire pressure is the current load carrying capacity of your passenger tire.
4. Find the Correct Air Pressure for Your New Low Profile Tires:
   • Using the load index of your new low profile tires, find the matching load carrying capacity and the column header will list the new proper tire pressure to prevent uneven tire wear and optimal handling.
5. Adjust Tire Pressure Accordingly:
   • Use a reliable tire pressure gauge to check the current pressure of your tires. If the pressure is outside the range recommended by the table and your vehicle’s specifications, adjust it accordingly. Remember to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold (i.e., haven’t been driven on for at least three hours) for the most accurate reading.
6. Safety First:
   • Never inflate a tire beyond its maximum pressure, which can also be found on the tire sidewall. Overinflation can lead to reduced traction, uneven tire wear, and even a blowout.
   • Conversely, underinflated tires can cause poor fuel economy, sluggish handling, and excessive heat buildup leading to tire failure.
7. Regularly Check Tire Pressure:
   • Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and before long trips. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tire pressure ensures optimal performance, safety, and longevity of your tires.

The Importance of Correct Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is how much air is inside your tire. It’s important to make sure your tires have the right amount of air. Let’s talk about why this is so important.

Why Is Tire Pressure Important?

There are a few big reasons:

• Safety: Tires with the right amount of air grip the road better. This means you can stop quickly if you need to. It also means your car won’t slide around on wet roads.
• Save Money: Tires with the correct pressure can help you use less gas. This means you don’t have to fill up your gas tank as often.
• Tire Life: Tires last longer when they have the right amount of air. If they don’t, they can wear out faster.

What Happens If Tire Pressure Is Wrong?

If there’s too much or too little air in your tires, you might notice:

• Harder to Drive: Your car might not handle well. It could feel like it’s pulling to one side.
• More Gas Used: Your car might use more gas than usual.
• Tire Damage: Your tires could get damaged. They might even burst if there’s too much air.

Recommended Tire Pressure vs. Maximum Pressure

Tire pressure is crucial for safe driving and the overall health of your tires. When we talk about tire pressure, two terms often come up: “recommended tire pressure” and “maximum pressure” or “Max Pressure.” Let’s dive into what these terms mean and how they differ.

What is Recommended Tire Pressure?

• Definition: This is the ideal amount of air that should be in your tires for everyday driving. It ensures optimal performance, safety, and tire lifespan.
• Where to Find It: The recommended tire pressure is usually found:
  • On a sticker inside the driver’s door or fuel door.
  • In the vehicle’s manual.
• Purpose: This pressure:
  • Provides the best balance between performance, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
  • Reduces tire wear, ensuring your tires last longer.
  • Keeps you safe by ensuring good grip and handling on the road.

What is Max Pressure?

• Definition: This is the highest amount of air a tire can safely hold. It’s not what you should aim for in daily driving.
• Where to Find It: The maximum pressure is often printed on the tire’s sidewall. It’s usually next to the tire size and is followed by “PSI” or “kPa.”
• Purpose: This pressure:
  • Is NOT for regular driving. It’s the limit you shouldn’t cross.
  • Can be used as a reference when carrying heavy loads, but you should never exceed it.
  • Indicates the tire’s safety limit. Going beyond can risk a blowout or rapid tire failure.

Understanding Low Profile Tires

Low profile tires are a type of tire that many people choose for their cars and trucks. Let’s break down what they are and why some people like them.

What Are Low Profile Tires?

• Low profile tires have less rubber between the wheel and the road.
• This means the tire’s “side” (called the sidewall) is shorter than on regular tires.

Why Do People Choose Low Profile Tires?

There are a few reasons why someone might pick low profile tires for their vehicle:

• Looks: Some people think they make a car or truck look sportier or more stylish.
• Handling: These tires can make a car feel more connected to the road. This can be good for quick turns.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Yes, there are some things to think about:

• Comfort: Because there’s less rubber, you might feel bumps in the road more.
• Damage: They can get damaged more easily. For example, if you hit a big pothole, the tire might get punctured or wheel might get bent.

How to Tell If You Have Low Profile Tires

If you’re not sure what kind of tires you have, here’s a simple way to check:

1. Look at the tire’s side.
2. You’ll see some numbers and letters. This is the tire size.
3. The middle number tells you about the profile. A smaller number means it’s a low profile tire. For example, in “225/45R17”, the “45” means it’s a low profile tire.

Should You Get Low Profile Tires?

It depends on what you want:

• If you like the look and don’t mind feeling the road more, they might be a good choice.
• If you want a smoother ride or are worried about damage, you might want to think about other options.

Resources

Below are some links you may find helpful when learning about tires

• How low is too low for tire pressure? – J.D. Power
• Recommended tire pressure – Pirelli

Final Thoughts

While low profile tires can offer enhanced handling and a sportier look, they also come with their set of considerations. Always adhere to the recommended tire pressure, cross-referencing with your vehicle’s specifications.

Regularly checking and adjusting your tire pressure can lead to optimal performance, increased tire lifespan, and most importantly, a safer driving experience. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just someone looking to understand their vehicle better, being informed about tire pressure is a step in the right direction.

Good luck and happy motoring.