Question of the week: Should I inflate my tyres to the maximum pressure?
Fri, 05 Jun 2026
Dear Honest John,
"There is a YouTube video from an American channel that says you should ignore the recommended tyre pressures on the sticker or handbook that says say 32 or 34 PSI, but should run them at 40 PSI to make the tyre wear go further.
On the tyre sidewall of my Hyundai i10 it gives the maximum pressure for a maximum load of 51PSI. What do you think of this suggestion?"
- SM
Dear SM,
We think this is a terrible idea. Manufacturers set the recommended tyre pressures for their vehicles based on a number of factors including weight distribution, vehicle dimensions, suspension set up and vehicle characteristics, whereas the maximum tyre pressure indicated on the sidewall is the maximum safe pressure it can be operated at as set by the tyre manufacturer, and takes no account of the vehicle it is fitted to.
An over-inflated tyre will actually wear out faster than one that is correctly inflated, as overinflation means wear is concentrated on the centre section of the tyre rather than being spread across the entire width of the tread.
This reduction in the size of the tyre's contact patch will also result in less grip, extending braking distances, reducing traction and cornering capability. The result will be a car that is highly compromised in terms of safety, as well as ruining your tyres more quickly.
