Symptoms
- Ride feels unusually stiff or bouncy
- Center of tread wearing faster than the edges
- Tire looks visibly rounder or more bulged than others
Likely causes
- CommonOverfilled at a gas station or shopIt's easy to add slightly too much air, especially if using a different pressure reference than the car's spec.
- CommonUsing the tire's max PSI instead of the car's recommended PSIThe number on the tire sidewall is the tire's maximum rating, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
- PossibleHeat buildup after drivingPressure naturally rises after driving; checking hot tires can look artificially high.
What to do
- Check pressure when tires are cold, ideally before driving or after sitting for a few hours.
- Find the recommended PSI on the driver's door jamb sticker, not the tire sidewall.
- Release air in small amounts using the valve stem's pin until reaching the correct pressure.
- Recheck with a reliable gauge after adjusting.
- Repeat for all four tires, since they can be overfilled unevenly.
Tools and parts
- Tire pressure gauge
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.