Cars typically require a tire pressure of 30 to 35 psi (pounds of force per square inch). The recommended psi for your car is the ideal tire pressure year-round; there aren’t different numbers for summer or winter. But temperature does affect tire pressure. So when the temperature drops, you might need to inflate your tires more often to maintain ideal tire pressure in cold weather.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Tire Pressure?
When outdoor temperatures drop significantly, so does the pressure in your tires. That’s because cold causes air molecules to slow down and stick together, resulting in a drop in air pressure and a potentially underinflated tire. Conversely, when it’s hot outside, warmer air molecules move around faster, bumping into each other more and raising the tire pressure to a potentially overinflated level.
Many tire manufacturers estimate that tires lose one psi for every 10 degrees the outside temperature drops. If your car has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, the warning light will likely be triggered by a significant drop in tire pressure, making it especially helpful in cold weather.
Checking Tire Pressure in Cold Weather
Check your tires after your car has been parked for at least three hours. Driving raises the air temperature and therefore the air pressure in the tires.
Your car’s ideal tire pressure is usually listed inside the driver-side door and in the car’s owner manual. A common mistake is to fill tires to the max pressure listed on the sidewall, instead of what’s recommended by the auto manufacturer. Also, be sure to check the recommended pressure for the front and rear tires in case they’re different.
Insert a pressure gauge into the tire air valve swiftly and firmly for an accurate reading. Then immediately replace the air valve cap to avoid letting out any air. If your tires are below the recommendation for your car, use an air compressor to inflate them until you get the right reading.
It’s best to check your tires once a month, but you might need to check your tire pressure more often in cold weather. Other signs your tires might be underinflated:
- They look flatter than usual.
- The steering wheel shakes.
- It takes longer to come to a stop when braking.
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