A vehicle’s tire needs to maintain a proper amount of air pressure for safe driving conditions. If you have a newer vehicle with a tire pressure sensor, you may notice an alarm saying you have a flat tire on a cold morning and then as the day progresses the warning light disappears. This is due to the nature of the air in your tire and how tire pressure can change with the weather.
What is tire pressure and why is it important?
Tire pressure is the amount of air in a vehicle’s tire. It’s measured in pressure because the more air in a tire, the more pressure it is putting on the walls of the tire and the tire valve. Tire pressure is important for the safety and efficiency of a car. An under-inflated tire will reduce a vehicle’s fuel-efficiency, control, braking, stability, and or overheating. If you have far too little tire pressure, it may cause the tire to fail leading to a dangerous situation. In most cases you will not see any effects externally but internally the sidewall could deteriorate from overheating from lack of proper tire pressure to support the weight vehicle. If this happens, it could cause a very dangerous situation. That’s why it’s important to check your tire pressure (Cold) every morning before driving.
If your tire’s air pressure is low, and won’t hold air when re-filled, bring your vehicle in for Maryland tire service today.
Should my tire pressure change with the weather?
Yes, your tire’s air pressure should change with the weather. As the weather outside changes, the pressure in your tire will change at a rate of about 1 or 2 psi for every 10° F. This is why as the winter hits and it starts to get much colder outside, your tire could start to look flat. Additionally, cars sitting in sunlight or on hot pavement will recognize a higher tire pressure than those in the shade or on colder surfaces.
Why does tire pressure change with the weather?
Tire pressure changes with the weather because the molecules making up the air in your tire are constantly moving around. When these molecules are hotter, they are moving faster and putting more pressure on whatever container is keeping them in. As the weather gets cooler, these molecules calm down and put less pressure on the tire’s walls—leading to less tire pressure.
If your tire’s pressure is low, be sure to fill it up immediately—a tire with low pressure is not safe to drive on. To find the manufactures recommended (Cold) tire pressure for your vehicle, this info is located on the Placard which generally is positioned inside the driver’s door jam. If your tire isn’t properly holding air once filled, bring your vehicle into a local Maryland tire repair shop immediately.
Hillmuth auto repair is a trusted tire repair shop in Maryland that is here to help get you back on the road. To get in touch with Hillmuth, fill out the contact form on our website or find a location near you today!
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