facebook pixel
Blog Post

How Temperature Affects Tire Pressure

tire temperature pressure Fairview Heights IL

Weather conditions in the U.S. vary greatly across the country. In general, winters are cold and summers are hot, depending on where you are located will depend on how hot or cold the weather will be. All these variations can affect your tire pressure as Fairview Heights, IL resistant.

Tire performance may be affected if tire pressure is too low or too high, leading to an increased risk of several safety issues. Premature wear, expensive replacement costs, and poor fuel efficiency can all result from a PSI imbalance. It’s critical to learn how to check your PSI to help maintain optimum tire pressure levels in order to combat these concerns. This way, you’ll be able to notice possible difficulties before they become more serious.

tire pressure services fairview heights illinois

Increase In Temperatures

The change in temperature outside influences the pressure in your tires, as temperatures rise this cause the air in your tires to expand increasing the pressure. Tires are made from both natural and synthetic rubber which contains oils that help tires expand and contract with the changes in the weather. The friction from the road and the heat from the sun cause your tires to wear out and reduce their elasticity, this will cause your tires to split, crack or become brittle. Tires that have become brittle are very dangerous and could lead to untimely accidents.  You should always check your manual or with a qualified technician what the recommended tire pressure of your car should be in the summer.

flat tire fairview heights il

Decrease In Temperatures

In the winter, the lower temperatures will cause the air in your tires to condense and the pressure to decrease. This can cause the tires to become under-inflated, which can be just as dangerous. As cold fronts and snow move through it can lead to hazardous road conditions. Low tire pressure will increase fuel usage, and create more wear and tear on your tires which can also lead to unfortunate accidents. Most cars have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) which will show the current pressure and alert you if the pressure drops below what is recommended. If you ever notice your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light turn on during a cold winter morning and does not turn off within a couple of minutes, you know that your car’s tires are too low.

Most manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced 6 years from the manufacturer date code marketed on all tires. It’s important to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Maintaining the recommended tire pressure for your make and model is an important part of car maintenance. For any car maintenance help, give us at Rowans Tire and Auto a call today!