What’s the right tire pressure for your vehicle? The answer is that there isn’t a single right answer. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, the type of tires and under what conditions you use them, tire pressure may vary. Mechanics recommend checking your vehicle’s owner manual for the correct number. But there’s more to it than the type of vehicle. There’s evidence that tire pressure should vary by season, as well.
As it turns out…yes. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend keeping tires several psi (typically 3 to 5) higher in the winter than in the summer. Winter tires often have more aggressive tread designs, with deeper tread depths than summer or all-season tires. To keep in optimal shape in cold weather, pliability is boosted by using softer tread compounds in winter tires. This can make the tires less responsive to drivers’ input, so the higher inflation pressure can increase stability and responsiveness.
Another reason is that in cold winter temperatures, tires become more efficient at radiating heat, so the vehicle’s tires will run cooler, building up less hot tire pressure. By keeping tire inflation between 3 to 5 psi higher, you can offset the reduced hot tire pressures that result from less heat buildup.
Fluctuating temperatures – something we are seeing increasingly even within the same season -- can actually lead to uneven tire pressure thanks to expansion and contraction, which can have an impact on how your car handles and therefore your safety. Tire manufacturers note that drivers should expect a drop of one psi for each 10-degree-Fahrenheit drop in outdoor temperature. Even parking in the sunlight in winter can cause tire pressure to become uneven if only one side of the car is exposed to the sun, which can lead to unpredictable vehicle handling.
To prevent low tire pressure in the winter, be sure to visually inspect your tires frequently to see if they look like they need more air. On especially cold days or days when the temperature has fluctuated a great deal, double-check them with a tire gauge to ensure they’re at the manufacturer-recommended pressures.
Tire Country Auto Repair serves Connecticut customers with the type of seasonal preventive maintenance that keeps tires in their optimal operating condition year-round. Customers in Enfield, Somers, Ellington and surrounding areas rely on us to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape during the cold winter months. Contact us for an appointment today at 860-763-0846 or via our web site.
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