What method should be used to determine if a tire is properly inflated?

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Tire inflation should be checked with a calibrated gauge and set to the manufacturer’s cold inflation pressure. The recommended pressure is specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the given tire size and load, and it reflects the proper contact patch and ride characteristics under expected driving conditions. Using a gauge ensures you’re measuring actual pressure rather than guessing by appearance, and using the cold value accounts for pressure changes from recent driving and heat.

Relying on how the tire looks is unreliable because a tire can appear normal even when under- or over-inflated, and a single standard pressure for all tires ignores tire size, load distribution, and weight. Inflating based on vehicle weight alone also misses other factors like tire type and load conditions. Always verify with a calibrated gauge and adjust to the specified cold inflation pressure for safety, fuel efficiency, and even wear.