Properly inflated tires deliver the maximum vehicle performance, durability and fuel efficiency that you’ve come to expect from your automobile. The only way to be certain your tire pressure falls within the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines as noted in the owner’s manual: grab a handy tire pressure gauge and carefully monitor the situation. Experts suggest checking the air pressure in all four tires once each month, along with much more frequent visual inspections that might provide an early warning sign of approaching trouble.
Unfortunately, even rock-steady vigilance for proper tire inflation is not a guarantee when Old Man Winter intervenes. What you might not be aware of is that cold weather conditions common in the winter months can dramatically impact that status of your previously properly inflated set of wheels, regardless of whether your ride is brandishing snow tires, all-season tires or performance tires.
Here is what you need to bear in mind, with a quick science lesson for starters. All gasses – including the air inside your tires – contract in cold temperatures, becoming more dense. Practically speaking, this means there’s a significant difference in a tire pressure check performed in January and July, for example. That’s because tire pressure (measured in pounds per square inch, or psi) can drop between one and two pounds every time the thermometer plunges by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The answer to this weather-related tire pressure problem is testing in the appropriate conditions regularly throughout the year. Tire experts recommend checking tire pressure in the morning, before a vehicle has been driven and before direct sunlight can alter the accuracy of pressure readings.
Remember that many newer vehicles offer some high-tech assistance in monitoring the air pressure status of the wheels on your car or truck. These sensors will highlight any looming pressure concerns with a warning light appearing on the dashboard of your vehicle. When that warning light appears, it’s advisable to take some immediate action to guarantee the safety of all those riding in your vehicle.
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Your vehicle manufacturer can assist in determining the exact air pressure needs for your ride, with the recommended air pressure for your tires appearing on a sticker affixed to the inside of driver’s side door. Additionally, the owner’s manual or an online search can provide the air pressure numbers suggested for your car or truck.
Would you rather turn to the professionals for help when it comes to maintaining your vehicle in tip-top operating condition from top to bottom, including those pesky tire pressure monitoring challenges? It just so happens there’s a team of automotive experts ready to lend a hand to vehicle owners, do a quick google search to learn what automotive maintenance professionals can do for you.