Front versus rear tyre pressure
Updated 2026-09-18
Many passenger cars print the same figure both ends. That is not a universal law. Transits, some estates, and staggered sports cars print two. This site therefore gives each model a front URL and a rear URL.
On a front-wheel-drive hatch the front tyres steer, drive and do most of the braking. They often want at least as much pressure as the rear. A 3 psi-low front on a Focus shows up as tramlining.
On a rear-driven saloon or a loaded van the rear can be the higher number. Copying the front onto the rear under-inflates the driven or laden axle.
Do not average front and rear “to keep it simple.” A 2.3 / 2.6 split was written for a reason.
After a puncture repair, set the axle that tyre actually sits on, not the number you remember from the other end.