Temperature affects tire pressure, changing how the tire performs and altering its service life. It’s vital to know what cold tire pressure and hot tire pressure do–and what you can do to maintain safe tire pressure.
Cold tire pressure is the pressure in a tire that hasn’t been heated by the surroundings or by operating the vehicle for long periods or over long distances. It can be measured if:
The air inside a tire gradually cools when the part isn’t in motion or exposed to hot objects. Cool air exerts less pressure from the tire’s interior because it takes up less volume than hot air.
Cold tire pressure is usually the pressure recommended by the tire’s manufacturer. If you check and set tire pressure, ensure the tires are cold.
Here are several ways that cold tire pressure can affect your vehicle’s tires:
Cold tire pressure makes tire pressure readings more accurate. The tire pressure value stays more stable in a cool tire.
When car makers test how their vehicles perform, they usually use cold tire pressure as the baseline. Cold tire pressure readings are more stable.
Generally, tire pressure decreases by 1 or 2 pounds per square inch (PSI) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit (F) that the temperature goes down.
During cold nights in autumn and especially winter, tire pressure can fall like a rock. If your car or truck has a tire pressure monitoring system, it’ll turn on the low tire pressure warning light when it gets too cold.
Hot tire pressure is the air pressure in the tires taken after operating your vehicle for long periods or over significant distances.
Tires rely on friction to grip the road surface without sliding or slipping. The higher the friction, the stronger the tire tread’s traction.
However, friction also creates heat. Spinning tires generate lots of friction and heat between their treads and the road surface. The heat raises the temperature inside the tire, exciting air molecules to move faster.
As the air gets hotter, it takes up more space inside the tire, pressing against the tire’s interior wall and making the tire stiffer. This is hot tire pressure.
The following are linked to hot tire pressure:
Hot tire pressure readings are always higher than their cold equivalents. They’ll go down after you let the tires rest for several hours.
In some driving situations, you must partially deflate the tires to bolster their performance. Give the tires enough time to go down from hot tire pressure levels to cool tire pressure levels before releasing some air. Otherwise, the tires will lose more pressure than you intended when their remaining air cools down later, resulting in underinflated tires.
Excessive, hot tire pressure can lead to overinflated tires, leading to decreased traction and uneven tire wear. Refrain from making a habit of driving on overinflated tires caused by high tire pressure.
The tire’s temperature and pressure will inevitably rise as you drive. It’s a normal part of the driving experience, so it’s usually not something you should worry about unless the hot tire pressure reaches dangerously high levels.
Some driving behaviors can heat tires faster, increasing their tire pressure even more.
One example is driving at high speeds on a highway. Another is loading heavy cargo into your car or truck. Other behaviors that increase hot tire pressure include aggressive driving and towing trailers.
Finally, hot weather conditions can also increase tire heat and tire pressure, leading to hot tire pressure readings.
You must find the middle ground between cold and hot tire pressure. Both extremes bring problems, so you want to keep the tire pressure at the right level.
You can find the recommended cold tire pressure on the tire placard in the door jamb of the driver’s door. If it isn’t there, refer to your vehicle owner’s manual.
Wait for the tires to cool before measuring their air pressure for the most accurate results. Take readings with a tire pressure gauge model known for its reliability.
Consider the conditions of your trip. Are you planning to drive to another city, hitch a trailer up to your vehicle, or go out in hot weather? Check the tire pressure regularly.
If you need to adjust the tire pressure, give the tires time to rest and cool.
Extreme temperatures can cause issues for the tires and your vehicle. Whether it’s cold tire pressure or hot tire pressure, the condition can cause problems.
Excessively cold tire pressure can reduce inflation in tires. Driving with underinflated tires reduces fuel efficiency, wears out the tires unevenly, and increases the chances of a tire blowing out.
Very hot tire pressure can inflate the tires too much. Overinflated tires have poor traction, make the ride harsher, and degrade the center tread faster. They can also have a tire blowout.
Following the tips below can make it easier to maintain the right tire pressure:
Check the tire pressure of each tire at least once every month. You can use a tire pressure gauge.
A tire pressure gauge is a tool that reads the air pressure in the tires. Before using the measuring tool, let the tires rest for a minimum of three hours. Measure the cold tire pressure.
The seasons affect tire pressure. Summer increases the chances of hot tire pressure, while winter can lead to extremely cold tire pressure.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tracks the air pressure in the tires. It can detect issues like underinflated and overinflated tires. If your vehicle doesn’t have a TPMS, consider getting one.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.