Recommended tire pressure for a 95 honda civic ex coupe?

May 8, 2006 11:24 AM

What is the recommended tire pressure for a 95 honda civic ex coupe? Also I know nothing about checking the pressure or giving a tire air.

I noticed today after lunch that one of my tire's seem low. I'm a computer nerd that knows nothing about cars. I dont know what tire pressure the tire should be at and I dont know how to check it or how to put air in it. I drive a 95 honda civic ex coupe. Can somebody help me before my tire blows up?

posted by icespide to travel & transportation (14 answers total)

There should be a metalic tag inside the driver side doorway that states your VIN, when the car was made and the tire pressure that is required.
posted by aeighty at 11:25 AM on May 8, 2006

It's likely that your tires have been replaced at some point. Usually, the recommended pressure is also marked on the tire's sidewall.

You check the tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge. You put air into the tire by pressing an air hose against the tire valve. Both of these things ought to be readily available at a gas station.
posted by box at 11:31 AM on May 8, 2006

aeighty is correct about the tag on the inside of your door post. Use the pressure listed there, not the maximum pressure listed on your tire. (The number on the tire is a maximum possible pressure, not a recommended pressure.)

Check pressure using a tire pressure gauge. Even a $5 "pencil"-type gauge is accurate enough for most needs. You should always check pressure while the tire is cold (i.e. is not still warm from driving). Just unscrew the cap on your valve stem (the little thing that sticks out of the tire) and press the gauge onto the opening.

If you need to add air, you can either drive to a nearby gas station with a coin-op air compressor (but remember to let the tires cool off again if you had to drive any distance), or buy your own electric air compressor for around US$25 or $50. Many compressors will have a built-in pressure gauge so you know when to stop; otherwise you'll just have to stop periodically and use a separate gauge, and let some air out if you've gone too far.
posted by mbrubeck at 11:47 AM on May 8, 2006

The correct tire pressure is determined by the vehicle, not the tires. Ignore the pressure on the tires (unless it is less than the vehicle's recommended tire pressure, in which case you need new tires).
posted by caddis at 11:48 AM on May 8, 2006

Sometimes the air machines at gas stations have tire pressure meters on them, but I've found these to be quite inaccurate/broken. Just purchase a hand-held tire pressure guage, and make sure no air is leaking when you take the measurement.
posted by jsonic at 11:48 AM on May 8, 2006

29 psig
posted by caddis at 11:52 AM on May 8, 2006

The door tag will give a range of pressure. You will probably want to use the upper value of that range. The upside is better fuel efficiency (3-6%, depending on who you believe); the downside is slightly reduced performance (traction), a slight increase in road noise and a slightly rougher ride. But the downsides are really slight, and the upside is way cool!
posted by juliewhite at 11:58 AM on May 8, 2006

I'd suggest going to a service station with friendly staff and asking if someone can help you check your tires. Once you've been though it once, you'll be able to do it yourself easily after that (with the help of the previously mentioned pencil guages).
posted by raedyn at 12:02 PM on May 8, 2006

thank you all so much for the responses I'll put some air in it later tonight.
posted by icespide at 12:04 PM on May 8, 2006

A geekier way to find your correct tire pressure.
posted by caddis at 12:09 PM on May 8, 2006

Don't dawdle. By the time a modern tire looks low it is in fact CRITICALLY low.
posted by phearlez at 12:39 PM on May 8, 2006

Do you have any friends who can show you how?

If not, ditto on the full-service gas station. Or if you know a nice mechanic in the area, he will probably do it for free.
posted by radioamy at 12:50 PM on May 8, 2006

A geekier way to find your correct tire pressure.

And a dorky way to monitor it.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:22 PM on May 8, 2006

A tire blew up in my face last year. I must re-emphasize the importance of proper tire maintenance, and the advice of asking your friendly local mechanic.

I just let Costco do it, and never touch the goddamned things unless I have to.
posted by sixacross at 4:52 PM on May 8, 2006