As temperatures drop, so, too, does your tire pressure.
This month, the orange exclamation point warning flicked on in my vehicle. Tire pressure monitors have been required on all new vehicles in the United States since the 2008 model year. More sophisticated tire pressure monitoring systems show the air pressure of each tire on a vehicle, but my older used car just let me know it was time to take a look.
On a recent trip to Belle Tire in Livonia, Michigan, I waited in a long line of vehicles for my turn at the air pressure machine. I was met outside by Robert L. Priebe, store manager, who was able to walk me through the process.
Driving with low pressure risks deflation that begins in the center of the tires, wearing them down while also causing the vehicle to waste energy attempting to propel the vehicle forward on lumpy wheels. Too little pressure can also cause the tire to burst.
“If you hit a nasty pothole when your tire is low, it could damage the wheel, and then you have further issues,” Priebe told me.
Some things to keep in mind:
Know your tire pressure
Check the sticker on the driver side door for the manufacturer’s suggested tire pressure. In addition to the decal, the preferred tire pressure should also be visible on the tires’ sidewalls. Electric vehicle and hybrid drivers should note that number may be higher than for an internal combustion engine due to the added weight of the vehicle. For example, Belle Tire’s machine has an automatic pressure setting of 32 lbs per square inch, though the recommended weight for my Hybrid Ford C-Max was 40 lbs per square inch.
Don’t always trust your eyes
Unless the vehicle’s air pressure has fallen to the point of forming an outward bulge where it touches the road, it’s hard to tell just by looking if the pressure is off.
Understand types of air
“Special air” doesn’t help. Nitrogen is an alternative to oxygen when filling tires because it is able to maintain inflation pressure longer than compressed air-filled tires in fluctuating temperatures. According to AAA, that’s why it’s used in airplane tires. But, since it does not completely eliminate temperature-related pressure fluctuation under normal driving conditions, AAA advises against using it so long as tires are properly maintained.
Outside temperature considerations
Don’t worry about rising temperatures. Unless you plan to overfill the tires, there’s an infinitesimal chance that vehicle tires will pop when the weather gets warmer.
How long it takes for vehicle to register pressure change
Pay attention for the next half hour of driving after you’ve inflated a tire. Priebe said it takes about 20 minutes of driving roughly 20 miles per hour for the vehicle to recognize the changed tire pressure and to turn off the light.
What if tire light comes back on?
Pay attention for the next 48 hours. Driving on under-inflated tires can create weak spots that could still fail later, even after the tires are back at the right pressure. If the tire pressure light comes back on, it could indicate that one of the tires is low again. In that case, some additional air could be leaking and that tire may require a patch or replacement entirely.
Have the right tools
Keep a tire pressure gauge and tire inflator in the trunk, Priebe said, adding that they also make great white elephant gifts. You can find some inflators online for about $40, depending on the retailer.
Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How long can you wait before filling tires when temperature drops?
Reporting by Jackie Charniga, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
