TPMS- help understanding the numbers

[jodigirl911]

So, I feel somewhat stupid for asking this question, but I've searched everywhere and can't find the answer.Is the top number the drivers side or the pasenger side on the TPMS?My rear top number is reading 22. I filled all tires on Sunday (it was 22 then too) and it's back down. Also, if I do have something in my tire, can I plug it or do I need to replace it altogether? Stock tire, stock rim.

[carmo]

Not sure about the numbers but you really shouldn't plug a Z rated tire (you should patch it) and it depends how close to the sidewall the puncture is. You shouldn't plug a sidewall puncture.

[xjmxstac]

22 psi sounds very low. Is your tire flat? Your tpms should read around 36-38 psi. A puncture on a z rated tire should be at least patched up from the inside or replaced altogether like what he said.

[jodigirl911]

32 is the recommended psi, as per the doorjam sticker

Still need help understanding numbers, please.

[xjmxstac]

The number in psi (pounds/ square inch) is the pressure reading for the each tire. If you have stock tires and rims, follow what the door jam states. To be absolutely sure, I would read the sidewall of the tire itself. It should give you a max psi. Now the max psi means that the tire will tolerate a maximum psi, after the car is loaded (with passengers and/ or cargo) and that the tires are in optimal operating temperature (because, as the tire heats up when running, the psi goes up slightly). So you want to fill cold tires with a lower pressure than the max psi. My psi reading is at 36 cold, 39 warm. edit: Best thing to do if you suspect that your tpms is faulty, is to use a tire pressure gauge and compare readings. If you confirm that it is faulty, your local discount tire center or american tire company should be able to fix/replace it.(I believe that the top number is the left side and the bottom is the right.)
Modified by xjmxstac at 11:52 AM 10/28/2008