Understanding Car Tires: The Impact of Cold Weather on Tire Deflation

Here is a big question all car owners would love to know its answer for enlightenment. Do you wonder why car tires deflate on their own even when they are being used everyday or even when they are packed? Then If you’ve ever left a basketball outside in the winter, you understand the relationship between temperature and pressure. If you haven’t found out how cold weather causes your tires to drop in pressure. Follow these tips and invest in the latest car covers and custom fit seat covers to keep your vehicle safe this winter.

How Temperature Affects Pressure

Lowered temperatures cause air to move slowly. As the air drops in temperature, air molecules in your tires begin to pull in together. This results in low tire pressure. Assuming there are no leaks or issues with your tires, they should return to normal pressure at the end of winter.

However, there are some key reasons to keep your tires properly inflated all year round.

If your tires are still low the day after you inflate them, you may have a leak in your tires. A leak needs to be patched or your tires need to be replaced before you can effectively air up your tires and hit the road with new tires at the recommended pressure level.

Dangers of Low Tire Pressure

Poor tire pressure can reduce your fuel economy. A single PSI drop in the average tire pressure of your vehicle can result in a 0.2% decrease in gas mileage. One PSI may not be a serious drag on your fuel economy, but a more severe deflation can cost you this winter.

Without the best tire protection, your tires will experience a reduced lifespan. Driving on underinflated tires can damage them and create leaks or unusual wear patterns. Save money by making sure your tires remain at full pressure.

Finally, wet pavement and low tire pressure combine in the winter to create dangerous driving situations. Your braking time increases with low tire pressure, so keeping your tires at optimal pressure levels may prevent a slide or collision. A few minutes of tire maintenance can mean the difference between an accidental collision or a safe stop.

Checking Your Tire Pressure

Some vehicles have warning light when your tires experience a drop in pressure. If you don’t have that warning indicator, be sure to check your tire pressure periodically, particularly after temperature drops. When cool temperatures hit, be sure your tires still fall in the 30 to 35 PSI range, or whatever is recommended by your manufacturer.

Driving causes your tires to heat up, so it can skew your pressure reading. Always check your tire pressure before driving your vehicle to ensure accurate readings. Whether you have an affordable pencil style gauge or the latest digital tire pressure gauge, be sure you have accurate results that fall in the recommended levels.

Protect Your Vehicle Today

Air up your tires, swap out your carpet floor mats for rubber ones and shop for the best indoor and outdoor car covers today to protect your vehicle this winter. Whether you’ve just invested in your dream sports car or are driving a reliable family SUV, shop online to find all the auto care accessories you need to prevent the worst effects of cold weather.