Tire Pressure During Cold Weather

With the end of summer and with the coming of winter, temperatures may vary up to fifty degrees Fahrenheit (or Celsius for that matter). This change in temperature doesn’t just affect the tire temperature, but also its pressure.

Air you pump into the tires is in gas form, and during winter this gas contracts making air pressure to fall. That’s why you have to take care of your tire pressure or your tire may suffer from a gain or loss of around five psi.

Basically for every ten degrees Fahrenheit the tires’ air pressure will change by about one pound per square inch (psi). Tire pressure falls with colder temperatures and rises with higher temperatures.

That kind of a loss is not good for your tires or for you as a driver. So check your tire pressure regularly and maintain it by the specs according to its manufacturer. This listed pressure is called “cold pressure” and that doesn’t mean that this is tire pressure for the winter season but that the inflation of tires should occur before driving on them (before they warm up).

Also keep in mind that more is not always better! Over inflating tires (or under inflating) can make irregular tread wear. Uneven tire tread can be a safety hazard if it is not corrected. There are many factors that can contribute to an uneven tire tread problem but regular maintenance is the most important way to prevent uneven tire tread.

Winter tires are more eligible to tread wear because of their tread design. Owning a tire gage can make it easier for you. Properly inflated tires are safer, more fuel-efficient, and enjoy a longer tread life than their improperly inflated counterparts. At the same time, traditional tire gages are sometimes difficult to use, and their readings aren’t always accurate. You can find some cheap digital tire gages online for just a few bucks.

Living in the cold climate and owning a heated garage can also be a problem. Exiting the heated garage into the cold reduces your tire pressure, so you might think of adding an extra psi of air into the tires. This will improve your handling in the cold.

Checking you spare tire is another good thing to do. Because its pressure is less prune to change, people tend to forget about it until its too late.

Taking care of you car and its tires during winter is essential. So, remember to check your tire pressure frequently according to its manufacturer and add that extra pound when needed.

Filed Under: Cars & Transport