Why Tires Go Flat In Cold Weather
Have you ever wondered why tires go flat in cold weather? You may have noticed that your car’s tires seem to lose air as the outside temperature drops. You’re not imagining things. When cold weather hits, drivers may see a low-pressure warning light on the dash or simply observe that the tires look a bit less full than they should. This is totally normal.
The main reason for this is when the outside temperature drops, the air becomes denser and consequently lowers the tire’s pressure. Of course, tires naturally lose pressure when there is a puncture or a very slow leak. This can be caused by a tire that is not properly sealed to the wheel rim or a malfunction of the tire stem.
Colder temperatures will cause tire pressure to drop about 1 psi for every 10°F drop in air temperature. A tire pressure warning light appearing on a chilly morning doesn’t mean you have a puncture, it most often means your tires are running low on pressure. When this happens, you need to schedule a quick tire service to have the air pressure checked. In winter months, it’s important to do this on a regular basis. If you drive a few miles and the tires start to warm up, the warning light may go off. Whether it goes off or not, your tire pressure needs to be checked with a gauge and properly inflated if needed.
New automobiles have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). These promote safety, convenience, and they have been required on all new cars since September 2007. By triggering a dashboard light when one or more tires are low on air, TPMS can take the guesswork out of wondering whether a tire is low or not.
If you’re wondering why tires go flat in cold weather, contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about tire service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Have you ever wondered why tires go flat in cold weather? You may have noticed that your car’s tires seem to lose air as the outside temperature drops. You’re not imagining things. When cold weather hits, drivers may see a low-pressure warning light on the dash or simply observe that the tires look a bit less full than they should. This is totally normal.
The main reason for this is when the outside temperature drops, the air becomes denser and consequently lowers the tire’s pressure. Of course, tires naturally lose pressure when there is a puncture or a very slow leak. This can be caused by a tire that is not properly sealed to the wheel rim or a malfunction of the tire stem.
Colder temperatures will cause tire pressure to drop about 1 psi for every 10°F drop in air temperature. A tire pressure warning light appearing on a chilly morning doesn’t mean you have a puncture, it most often means your tires are running low on pressure. When this happens, you need to schedule a quick tire service to have the air pressure checked. In winter months, it’s important to do this on a regular basis. If you drive a few miles and the tires start to warm up, the warning light may go off. Whether it goes off or not, your tire pressure needs to be checked with a gauge and properly inflated if needed.
New automobiles have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). These promote safety, convenience, and they have been required on all new cars since September 2007. By triggering a dashboard light when one or more tires are low on air, TPMS can take the guesswork out of wondering whether a tire is low or not.
If you’re wondering why tires go flat in cold weather, contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about tire service and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
