DRIVING TIPS

Impacts to Tire Pressure During Cold Weather

As temperatures get colder, drivers may notice an impact to their tire pressure, and their TPMS light may be illuminated on the dashboard. This happens naturally and does not necessarily mean your tires are leaking.

How to Check Tire Pressure in Cold Weather

Checking tire pressure in cold weather is the same as in the heat, but is increasingly important, as inflation tends to drop with temperatures. Here are four simple steps to checking tire pressure:

1. Tire Cool Down. Proper tire inflation should be checked when the tires haven’t been driven on for several hours and have had time to cool down.

2. Vehicle Manufacturer’s Recommended Tire Pressure. Check manufacturer's recommended tire pressure on the door placard.

3. Check Tire Pressure. Check tire pressure with an accurate tire pressure gauge.

4. Inflate to Recommended PSI. Fill to each tire with air to the recommended PSI.

How Cold Weather Can Affect Tire Pressure

For every 10 degrees of temperature drop, tires will drop 1-2 pounds of pressure. It is important to keep your tires within the recommended PSI to maintain traction, handling and durability.

Impacts to Tire Pressure in Hot Weather

Just as colder weather can cause PSI to drop, excessive heat can cause your tire pressure to temporarily increase. For every 10 degrees of increased temperature, your tires can be expected to increase by 1-2 pounds of pressure.

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CHOOSING YOUR TIRES