Et cetera : Roadside Chat - Your Dad Called - What's Your Tire Pressure?

Still looking for Father's Day gift ideas? The clock is ticking, so here's a thought if your daddio likes to kick the tires and dispense vehicle maintenance advice - even if you didn't ask. Invite him for a quality Sunday drive and show him that your tire pressure is right on the mark because you've honestly been listening all these years.

Dads know that driving on tires with the proper pressure directly impacts tire durability, your safety, and your fuel consumption. Every vehicle has its own specifications for tire pressure, but most fall between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch).

And remember, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you need to measure tire pressure when the tires are cold, or be sure to compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires.

While new cars and trucks generally come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, these steps can help you extend the life and safety of tires on any vehicle:

1. Locate your vehicle's recommended tire pressure PSI on the "Tire and Loading Information Labels" on the driver's side door edge or in the owner's manual.
2. Check the pressure of all tires, including your spares with a tire pressure gauge.
3. If tire pressure is too high, slowly release air by pressing on the tire valve stem with the edge of your gauge. If too low, add the pounds of air pressure for proper inflation.
4. Check all tires to ensure they have the same air pressure (except in cases where front and rear tires are required to have different PSI).

Be tire wise like dear old dad to keep you and your family safe.

In 2025, in Iowa, 106 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That's an increase of eight since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report.