Running your tyres at the correct pressure is guaranteed to extend their life. That’s an $800 investment (or more) for most people. Plus it makes a huge difference to your safety in an emergency. The only problem is: What’s the Goldilocks pressure for your car?

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This is a simple question with a not-so simple answer. 

I look at it like this: If you’re just an average driver with no real enthusiasm for driving, open the driver’s door, find the tyre placard (it’s on a sticker in the door frame) and run with the manufacturer’s recommended pressures.  

If you’re a bit of a leadfoot, you can bump the pressure up by 10-20 per cent. So, if the manufacturer recommends 32psi all round, 36-38 is gunna be fine. You’ll get better dynamic performance, and about the same wear rate, but possibly slightly less compliant ride. It’s a better balance for more assertive driving.  

For 90 per cent of people out there on the road today, this is sufficient to maximise your safety and minimise your contribution to the profits of Pirelli, Continental, Michelin, Dunlop, Goodyear, or Bridgestone, et. al. (And whatever you do, don’t buy cheap tyres from unknown brands. I’m convinced they’re just not as good at saving your neck when the chips are down.  

But if you’re a proper driving enthusiast, you might want to approach this a little differently. You'll have to watch the video for that explanation (as I ad-libbed it).