Does the Weather Effect Your Tire Pressure?
Cheap Tires in Rochester, NY & Syracuse, NY
It’s the first cold day of the year. You get in your car to find that your tire pressure light is on and your psi has dropped from 35 to 30 overnight. Weather plays a big role in the pressure in your tires. While cold weather may cause your tires to be dangerously under inflated, hot weather may make your tires over inflate. An issue that we sometimes come across with some Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is that while it warns you when your tires are under inflated, you may not get a warning that your tires are overinflated, so we recommend checking your tire pressure in both the summer and winter months. Hooper’s Tire Outlet is here to help you understand why this may occur when you purchase cheap tires from us in Rochester, NY or Syracuse, NY.
How exactly does the weather affect your tires?
There is a direct relationship between temperature and pressure, meaning when the temperature drops, so does the pressure in your tires, and vice versa. The first major cold wave will cause the air inside your tire to contract, lowering the pressure, then setting off your TPMS. A good estimate to go by when comparing air temperature and tire pressure is that for every 10°F, the tire pressure will adjust by 1 psi. For example, if the outside air temperature decreases by 20 degrees, the tire pressure will decrease by 2 psi. Note that your TPMS alarm is more likely to go off if: (1) Your tires are already slightly under inflated and (2) Your car sits outside all night as opposed to inside a garage that is not as cold. Most tires are inflated using air, but some tire dealers have been using nitrogen because they are larger than oxygen molecules. Because the molecules are larger, there is a significant decrease in seepage through the tire walls.
Why is it important to maintain the proper tire pressure?
Tires must be properly inflated so that you can achieve maximum traction, durability, and handling as designed by the tire manufacturer. The air pressure in your tire is what supports the weight of your vehicle, not the tire itself.
We recommend checking your tire pressure monthly, specifically in the morning when your tires are the coldest. This is because as you drive your car the friction between the tire and the pavement heats up your tires which can increase the pressure in your tires. Checking your tire pressure after you have been driving may give you an inaccurate reading.
Our experts at Hooper’s Tire Outlet are here to keep you safe when you purchase cheap tires from us in Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY. We will gladly answer any questions you have regarding your tire pressure and help with any of your cheap tire needs!