Cold Weather Tire Pressure

safety tire pressure tires


As the weather begins to cool off, the air pressure in your tires can change. It’s important to check your air pressure often, but especially after a drastic change in weather. For every 10 degrees decreased, your tires can lose 1-2 pounds of air pressure.

 

How do I know how much air to put in my tires?

Your car should come with an owner’s manual that will tell you what your tires need to be filled to. It’s best to check tire pressure while your tires are cold, rather than after you’ve been driving to ensure accuracy. Sometimes your front and back tires might need to be inflated to different pressures, which your manufacturer will state in the manual. If you don’t have your manual, an additional copy of the tire inflation information is often located on the inside of the driver’s side door.

Larger vehicles usually need a higher PSI due to the heavier load they are carrying. Common ranges for smaller vehicles are 27-32, but a pickup truck or SUV might need as much, or more than 45.

How do I check my tire pressure?

 

Unscrew the valve cap from the stem on the tire. Once you have located the stem, press your gauge evenly onto the end of the valve stem. It’s normal to hear some hissing as you press the gauge on, but that should stop once the air pressure gauge is fully pressed to the stem. If you continue to hear hissing, then the seal is not tight and it’s likely to give an inaccurate reading.

Ensure that the gauge has been returned to it's 'zero' reading after use. On common air pressure gauges, like the one in our featured image, that just means to slide the numbered portion back inside between uses.

Once you have finished checking the pressure, ensure that the cap has been returned to the stem. The cap isn’t what holds the air in the tire, but it does protect the valve stem and valve from dirt and moisture which can cause damage to them.

 


As always, if you have any questions, contact us here at The Wheel and Tire Store!

admin@thewheelandtirestore.com


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