Your vehicle's tyres are the only point of contact with the road. As such, proper tyre maintenance is absolutely crucial when it comes to safe handling, braking, accelerating, and protecting yourself and your passengers.
The seasons can wreak havoc on your tyres if you're not vigilant. With temperature playing such an integral role in tyre pressure, cars require seasonal tyre adjustments.
What is PSI and Why Does it Matter for Tyres?
Tyre pressure is measured in PSI, which stands for "pounds per square inch." This refers to the amount of air pressure inside the tyre pressing outward on every square inch of the interior surface.
How Do Outside Temperatures Affect Tyre PSI?
When outside temperatures change, the air inside your tyres shrinks or expands. For example, a 50°F temperature swing between a hot summer and cold winter will typically alter your tyre pressure by 6-8 PSI.
Colder weather causes the most rapid tyre pressure drops:
- Tyres can lose 1-2 PSI per week when temperatures remain below freezing
- A 40° drop can decrease PSI by up to 10 pounds
The opposite occurs in hot weather, with tyres slowly gaining pressure over time as the trapped air expands.
Why Does Tyre Pressure Fluctuate So Much?
Besides outdoor temperature swings, normal driving raises tyre temperatures by about 20°F in the first couple of miles. This increases pressure by 2 PSI until cooling off.
Slow air leaks also become more noticeable with extreme heat and cold. The most common causes are:
- Tiny punctures that seep air
- Age deterioration of rubber allows permeation
- Loose or damaged valve stem cores
More information here: Why Should Every Car Owner Consider Investing in a Tyre Inflator.
What Risks Does Incorrect Tyre Pressure Pose?
Driving with underinflated or overinflated tyres is extremely hazardous and should not be taken lightly. It jeopardizes:
- Braking Distances- Deflated tyres require longer stops. More tread touches the pavement, increasing friction and drag on the road. Your brakes have to work harder to slow against the added resistance. An extra 40 feet or more of braking distance could mean the difference between a close call and a collision.
- Traction & Control - Tyres rely on consistent contact and grip. Too much or too little pressure causes uneven wear, reducing the tread's ability to channel water away. This decreases available traction for accelerating, cornering, and evasive maneuvers. A loss of control increases the chances of spinning out, hydroplaning, or rollovers.
- Blowouts- Underinflated tyres build up excessive heat from overworking the rubber to compensate for reduced rigidity. They grow even more vulnerable to road hazards. Combine high speeds, scorching pavement, and low pressure for a recipe for sudden air loss and blowouts.
- Bad Weather Crashes- Inflation outside the safe zone significantly cuts wet and snowy conditions performance. Tires lose the ability to channel water and mud away from the tread's grip area. Traction plummets on packed snow or icy layers. Adequate tread-to-road contact and pressure keep you on the straight and narrow.
Insufficient inflation also causes premature uneven tread wear, reducing usable tire life by 25-30% easily. Plus, every 1 PSI drop hurts fuel economy by 0.2 to 0.3 MPG from engine strain.
Maintaining recommended pressure could be the difference between arriving safely or careening into danger. Respect your tyres and they'll carry you securely wherever you roam.
Get Ahead of the Cold: Winter Tyre Preparation
As temperatures drop, prioritize inspecting your tyres thoroughly before winter weather hits. This ensures you get the jump on cold-induced air contraction and shrinking tread depth when pavement grip matters most.
Adjust Air Pressure Relative to Average Seasonal Temps
The Department of Energy created pressure increase guidelines for impending cold snaps:
- Increase PSI 1 pound for every 10°F average temp decrease
- Between 30-60°F, add 3-4 extra PSI as a buffer
- Below freezing, tack on up to 5 additional PSI
For example, tyres set to 32 PSI in 60°F weather should run 35-36 PSI if expecting an average winter temp of 30°F.
Use your door sticker specs as the PSI baseline for adjustment. Re-check and tweak monthly as cold fronts blow through. Invest in a high-quality digital pressure gauge for precision.
Managing Tyres Through Winter's Challenges
Frigid temperatures and icy conditions create sizable hazards for your tyres beyond just air pressure loss. Expect these additional winter tire tribulations:
1. Rapid PSI Drops in Extreme Cold
Tyres can lose up to 1-2 PSI per week when temps remain below freezing for extended periods. Use a quality digital gauge to track weekly.
2. Compromised Traction on Snow and Ice
Packed powder, icy layers and freezing rain dramatically cut available grip. Ensure adequate tread depth above 4/32 inches. Rotate to snow tyres for maximum traction.
3. Accelerated Tread Wear
Frequent fluctuation between cold, wet and dry pavement accelerates tread wear by exposing more rubber to the road over the same distances. Watch for feathering and cupping.
4. Corrosion Damage
Salt, sand and gravel speed up wheel corrosion. Mud and slush hide potholes. Inspect frequently for embedded debris and sidewall damage.
Check pressures at least twice monthly during winter. Inspect tyres closely for cuts, bubbles, cracks and abnormal wear patterns. Rotate every 5,000 miles to distribute wear across the tread face. Address issues immediately to maintain safety and control on slippery roads. Staying vigilant against winter hazards keeps you rolling through the icy months ahead.
Transitioning Tyres from Winter to Summer
As temperatures rise in spring, prep your tyres for summer performance. Start by thoroughly inspecting them nose to tread after harsh winter months.
Check for:
- Irregular or uneven tread wear
- Flat spots from lengthy parking
- Sidewall cracks, punctures, bubbles
- Embedded debris and salt corrosion
Address any damage or concerning wear patterns before rotating back to summer tyres. This ensures you start the season with quality rubber.
Gradually Increase Air Pressure
Incrementally boost inflation 1-2 PSI at a time every few days as ambient warmth returns. The goal is slowly acclimating the trapped air to avoid a rapid expansion.
Most vehicles see pressures rise 6-8 PSI from winter to summer. Track with a gauge and stop when you reach the door sticker PSI.
Summer Tyre Care Tips
Summer heat brings its own tyre care challenges from sustained high temperatures and extensive highway travel. Monitor tire inflation diligently during hot months.
1. Signs of Overheating
Watch for signs of overheating like:
- Visible ozone cracks in the sidewall rubber
- Tread chunking from expanded air bubbles
- Increased air permeation through expanded rubber
Park in the shade or use tyre covers when leaving your car sits for long periods in sun and heat. The scorching interior temperatures accelerate damage. Limit high speed, aggressive cornering and hard braking which overheats tyres as well.
2. The Effects of Heavy Loads
The combination of higher inflation, more passengers and luggage raises tyre temperatures exponentially on summer road trips. Account for extra load by increasing cold pressure 2-3 PSI above door sticker levels before departing and when refueling if the tyres look low.
Proper inflation ensures safe tyres through extreme heat and heavy use, while getting you to your destinations without issue. Don't let your guard down on tyre care just because sunny skies prevail.
Additional Seasonal Tyre Factors
A few supplementary seasonal tyre care considerations include:
1. Regional Temperature Variations
Continental climates see extreme cold and heat swings compared to moderate coastal regions. The greater the flux, the more dramatic impact on tire inflation and performance. Monitor diligently.
High-altitude locations also expand trapped air volume from lower atmospheric pressure. Tailor inflation to the conditions you drive in.
2. Proper Tyre Storage Between Seasons
Drivers alternating between summer and winter wheels must store the unused set properly to maintain longevity and functionality.
Best practices include:
- Mount tyres on rims before storing to avoid flat spots
- Clean tread and sidewalls thoroughly
- Keep inflated to mid-range vehicle PSI
- Place away from temperature extremes
- Use tyre bags to avoid light damage
- Stow vertically on racks to prevent distortion
- Consider climate-controlled storage
Proactively adjusting care routines based on seasonal tyre factors ensures you get the most miles and performance regardless of driving conditions.
Helpful Tools and Tips for Tyre Care
Consistency remains the key to effective seasonal tyre maintenance. Follow these best practices for keeping your tyres in peak condition all year long:
1. Invest in an Accurate Pressure Gauge
A quality dial or digital gauge provides precise inflation measurements compared to imprecise stick types. Digital models make registering exact PSI simple. Tests gauges annually for calibration.
2. Check Tires When Cool, Before Driving
Always measure cold tyre pressure before operating the vehicle. Driving heats up the tyres and yields falsely high readings. Cool tyres offer the most accurate pressures.
3. Stick to a Routine Inspection Schedule
Mark your calendar to check inflation at least monthly, as well as before and after long trips, towing heavy loads or when cargo weight changes dramatically. Staying on schedule prevents inflation fluctuations from getting out of hand between vehicle usages.
4. Document Pressure Readings
Keep a dedicated log of PSI readings by date and conditions to recognize patterns and operate within optimal inflation ranges seasonally. Many newer vehicle monitors show live tire pressures.
5. Understand the Signs of Underinflation
Detect low pressures from uneven tread wear, reduced responsiveness, compromised handling, wheel rim damage, etc. Address immediately and diagnose the cause.
