Expert Advice

How does cold weather affect my tire pressure?

With the recent freezing temperatures you may have noticed some changes in your vehicle’s tire pressure. As the temperatures drop outside, so does the inflation of your tires. For that reason, it’s important to regularly check the air pressure of your vehicle’s tires, especially during the cold weather months.

How Temperature Affects Tire Pressure

Every tire has a recommended air pressure, which is measured in pounds per square inch, commonly called PSI. In order to maintain traction, handling and overall performance of your tires, it is important to maintain the PSI recommended for your tires. The PSI ranges for your vehicle’s tires can be found in the owner’s manual for your vehicle or on the tires themselves.

Dramatic changes in temperature affect your tire pressure. For every 10 degrees that the temperature drops outside, your tires roughly lose 1 to 2 PSI. While cold temperatures cause the air in your tires to contract and PSI to decrease, warm outside temperatures can cause the air inside your tires to expand, and your tire pressure to increase.

Check Tire Inflation During Winter Months

Many vehicles today have tire pressure sensors that indicate when tire inflation is
outside the recommend range. But if you have an older vehicle, it may not be equipped with this feature. If that’s the case, you’ll want to keep tabs on your tire pressure as the temperatures drop. To ensure an accurate PSI reading, make sure that your car has been parked for a few hours and the tires have cooled.

Tire Repair Shop Wilmington, NC

As a tire repair shop serving Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas, O’Leary’s
Automotive Repair can help you with any questions you have regarding tire maintenance and preventative car care.

If you are in need of tire replacements, we offer affordable options for all vehicle types. We are a preferred dealer for Nexen tires. In addition to offering award-winning design and innovative technology, Nexen tires carry the Nexen Total Coverage Warranty. This industry-leading warranty protects the value of your purchase and covers your tires if they are damaged by common road hazards such as nails, glass and potholes.

The Nexen Total Coverage Warranty also provides free tire rotation for the life of the tires. Please visit or call us at one of our locations in the Wilmington NC area for all your tire needs. The experts at O’Leary’s tire repair shop are committed to help you reach your destination safely while enjoying a smooth and comfortable ride.