The Mazda Miata is all about performance. While it may seem like a small thing, failing to keep your Miata’s tires properly inflated can have a huge impact on that performance—and not in a good way. From sloppy handling to decreased fuel economy, low tire pressure can wreak havoc on any vehicle.

To help you make sure you’re keeping the proper pressure in your Mazda’s tires,

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has created this guide. We’ll tell you the correct pressure for your Miata’s tires, teach you how to check your pressure, and reset your tire pressure warning light, and offer some tips to help lower your

Mazda Miata car insurance costs

What is the right tire pressure for a Mazda Miata?

Recommended tire pressure for a Mazda MX-5 Miata is 29 psi on all four tires, regardless of model year or trim. This information is provided for you in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, and you can also find it on the sticker inside your driver’s-side frame.

Keep in mind that these tire pressure specs are for the stock tires that came with your Miata. If you’ve tricked out your ride with high-performance grippy tires, or a set of sticky summer shoes, you may have different specs. Be sure to check what’s outlined for your new setup.

Tire pressure recommendations for other Mazda vehicles

Vehicle	Front tire pressure	Rear tire pressure
2022 Mazda 3	36–38 psi	36 psi
2022 Mazda CX-30	36–38 psi	36 psi
2022 Mazda CX-5	34–35 psi	34–35 psi
2022 Mazda CX-9	34 psi	34 psi
2022 Mazda MX-30	36 psi	36 psi

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MORE: How low can your tire pressure go?

How to check Mazda Miata tire pressure

Newer and higher-trim Mazda MX-5 Miatas are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that keeps constant track of each tire’s pressure and warns the driver of low pressure in one or more tires via a light on the instrument cluster and an audible alert.

Even though the Miata’s TPMS is a great feature, it doesn’t negate the need for

a tire pressure gauge

, since it won’t display the pressure in each tire. Plus, if your system is malfunctioning, you’ll need your pressure gauge to do a manual check.

Luckily, checking tire pressure is one of the simplest parts of car ownership. Just grab your gauge and start by removing the valve stems from each tire. Press the gauge over the open valve stem until you hear a small hiss of air, then remove the gauge to see your reading.

If you’re driving an older Miata or a vehicle without a TPMS, it can still alert you if you need to put some air in your tires. If your fuel efficiency isn’t as good as usual, your steering is off, or your car’s ride feels uneven, you may have low pressure in one or multiple tires.

How often should you check tire pressure?

You should make checking your tire pressure a part of your monthly maintenance routine, and you should add an extra check before hitting the road for long trips. Don’t forget to check the pressure in your spare, too. If there’s one thing that’s worse than a flat tire, it’s having a flat when your spare’s flat, too!

How to tell if your Mazda Miata needs new tires

Most vehicles are ready for a new set of tires about every six years, but how much you drive—or don’t drive—and where you drive will play a big part in this frequency. Driving on rough, rocky, or unmaintained roads will wear tires down much more quickly than driving on well-maintained tarmac.

The best way to keep track of whether you may be ready for a new set of tires is to add a visual check to your monthly pressure check. A big indicator you’re ready for a new set of tires is a constant need to refill them, but you can look for other indicators, too, such as:

Check tread depth. Take a U.S. penny and stick it in Lincoln’s-head-first. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, you need new tires.

Check for damage, such as cracks and bulges.

Check for punctures—luckily, these can sometimes be plugged or patched instead of requiring a full replacement, especially if your tire is relatively new.

MORE:

Low tire pressure in cold weather, and how to fix it

How to reset the Mazda Miata tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light

Your Miata’s TPMS should reset automatically once you inflate your tires to the proper pressure. However, sometimes this system needs to be reset manually—like after you change your tires. To

reset your TPMS

, just follow these steps:

Turn your car on, then turn it back off.

Wait for 15 minutes.

After at least 15 minutes, drive the vehicle at a speed of at least 16 mph for 10 minutes to recalibrate the TPMS.

If this doesn’t cause your tire pressure warning light to go off, it won’t hurt to run your Mazda by the dealer or your preferred mechanic to diagnose the problem.

MORE:

Are Mazdas good cars?

How to save on Mazda Miata insurance

Regularly checking your tire pressure is one of the best ways to keep your Mazda Miata or any vehicle running at top spec, which can help you avoid costly repairs. Checking your car insurance regularly is also a great way to maintain coverage and save money! Unfortunately, this takes a lot more time than a simple tire pressure check—unless you’re using the

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