In cold weather should tire pressure be less or more?

Question

I have a minivan and live in the midwest. Should the tire pressure be on the low end of the range designated by the mfg or the high end during the winter?

Answer 1

Very few cars (a few BMW's and some other select Euro-trash mostly) have "minimum" and "maximum" inflation pressures. The CORRECT inflation pressure is found on a placard inside the drivers side door, in your glovebox and/or in your owners manaul. Since that recommended pressure represents the load carrying capacity needed for that vehicle, there is no such thing and winter and summer tire pressures. Your van wieghs just as much no matter what the season.

Therefore, always run the same pressure all year round. In the cold months just be sure to check it frequently becuase the temperature swings common in the winter affect tire pressure more.

And unlike what he experience auto technician above said, those numbers on the door are COLD inflation pressures. That is what the pressure should be before you do any driving. Always check pressures when the tires are cold and never adjust pressure in a warm tire.

BTW - I 5 years experience in the tire industry.

Answer 2

Tires that had their pressure checked before it got really cold outside will have less pressure, i.e. appear 'soft', when it gets cold (cold makes the air contract). So it is very advisable to add more air when the tires are freezing cold to adjust for that and bring the pressure reading back up to where it should be. An underinflated, soft tire has worse handling characterstics and longer brake distance. The internal belt structure of the tire will also wear out prematurely, potentially causing a blow-out, when not sufficiently kept in shape by enough air pressure. When driving on snow with winter tires I found the traction to be slightly better with a little extra pressure, not too much, maybe 3-4psi above the manufacturer recommendation.

Answer 3

The options on the driver door for what psi should be for front and back have only one nuber for each size or type of tire. This number should be the same for summer or winter. However, you should always check the tire pressure after at least fifteen minues on the road for accurate measurement of a warm tire.

Answer 4

Your recommended air pressure is indicated on your door sticker and/or your owners manual. Air pressure will change by 1psi for every 6C or 10F so check often. Your tires will also lose about 1psi per month (25% through the wheel/tire interface and 75% through the tire's membrane). This does not mean you should overinflate your tires! When you fuel up, just check your air pressure. You will save money in the long run.

Answer 5

Your air pressure should be a little higher,basically meaning your air pressure measurements should read less when u check your tires because air condenses in cold temps. So just be sure to check your tires a few times throughout the winter season. So basically you should fill it to the manufacturer's psi levels but it may need to be refilled to that level once it starts getting colder.

Answer 6

Keep it in the middle, Although air does contract during cold wheather it doesnt matter because as you drive the air will expand since the wheels are spining creating friction inside.

Remember nascar, thats why they always zigzag at the beggining, they have low tire preasure, but as they increase speed the air expands, so they zig zag to keep air preasure at the begining

High air preasure may cause you to wear out your tires fast

Answer 7

Not that much difference, but I always heard to go low to allow more tire to road contact, but with modern cars keeping it at the manufactures suggested psi should be fine

Answer 8

for every 10 degrees (F) tire pressure lowers 1-2 psi

Answer 9

Inflate to the pressure stated in your owners manual and check it once a month. Under inflation can be dangerous.

Answer 10

Tire pressure should always be the same ...measured when the tires are cold, so when it is cold outside your tires should always be inflated to the manufactures specs.