How air affects tire pressure
As winter quickly approaches, many drivers may notice their low tire pressure sensor coming on. The reason why, has a lot to do with the temperature of the air. There’s a correlation to tire pressure and the temperature, and it’s easy to remember. As the temperature rises, so does the pressure in your tires, with the complete opposite being true as the temperature falls.
You may ask yourself why is this and it has a lot to do with simple physics. As air heats up it expands and rises, therefore becoming less dense. Cold air on the other hand sinks because the molecules of air are closer together and do no move as much, consequently lowering your tire pressure.
Recommended tire pressure for your vehicle varies from 30 to 35 psi. It’s all dependent upon the brand of tires and your vehicle. You can find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle located in the vehicles owner manual or somewhere on the tire wall.
It’s important to understand how much air pressure changes in your tires. A good rule of thumb is that for every 10 degrees that the temperature drops, your tire pressure drops by 1-2 PSI. Which means for many Mid-Missourians who saw the 60 degree temperatures yesterday, your tire has decreased by 3-6 psi through today.
As a general rule check your tire pressure monthly, particularly in the morning. As you drive, friction heats up the surface of the tire, which increases the pressure in the tire and can give you an inaccurate reading.
