How Cooler Weather Affects Your Ride and What to Do About It

As the colors of autumn leaves change in October, drivers may overlook a crucial element: tire pressure. Cold weather can affect your vehicle's handling and fuel efficiency. To ensure smooth driving through Burbank or upcoming travels during this seasonal transition, it is beneficial to understand how lower temperatures impact tire pressure.

This autumn, take the opportunity to delve into the scientific explanations for tire pressure fluctuations, grasp their significance, and gain insights on how to maintain your tires properly.

Why Temperature Changes Affect Tire Pressure

Many drivers are unaware that tire pressure changes with outdoor temperature, which can be explained by fundamental physics principles - warm air expands while cold air contracts. Consequently, a decrease of 10°F in temperature results in an approximate loss of 1-2 psi (pounds per square inch) in tire pressure.

If the temperature in Burbank drops from a pleasant 75°F to a chilly 55°F tonight, your car's tire pressure may significantly decline. Even slight tire deflation can have an enormous impact on how you handle and perform with your vehicle.

The Consequences of Low Tire Pressure

Can you picture yourself getting into your car on a chilly morning without having checked the tire pressure for quite some time and not realizing that air is gradually coming out of them? What are the possible consequences of this scenario?

Decreased Fuel Efficiency: Underinflated tires may lead to decreased fuel efficiency due to heightened rolling resistance and additional strain on the engine required for propelling the car forward. These factors inevitably cause amplified fuel usage, thereby lowering miles per gallon.

Reduced Tire Lifespan: Insufficient tire pressure may cause uneven wear and tear on the outer edges of your tires, eventually leading to reduced longevity. You may need to purchase new ones sooner than expected.

Handling and Braking Issues: Upholding the recommended tire inflation level is imperative to ensure optimal handling and braking. Failure to do so may lead to compromised steering control, delayed stopping time, and sluggishness, particularly when driving on wet or slippery surfaces.

Common Myths About Tire Pressure and Cold Weather

Numerous misunderstandings arise regarding tire maintenance, and one of them concerns the right amount of air pressure necessary in colder months. This blog aims to dispel prevalent notions about this matter.

Myth #1: You should overinflate your tires in cold weather to compensate for the pressure loss.

Overinflating your tires should be avoided, as it stiffens them and minimizes traction on the road. This increases the chances of a blowout, particularly if you encounter obstructions such as debris or potholes while driving.

Myth #2: You only need to check your tire pressure once a month.

Monthly tire inspections are satisfactory for regular circumstances, but it's crucial to conduct frequent assessments when sudden temperature shifts occur. Cold mornings, in particular, can lead to a significant drop in air pressure that might catch you off guard.

Myth #3: Tire pressure doesn’t matter as long as you don’t notice any problems.

Even though low tire pressure may not immediately show its impact, it can pose a grave danger. It's advisable to consistently adopt preventive measures for your tires instead of procrastinating until an unfortunate incident occurs.

How to Check Tire Pressure Like a Pro

Despite being one of the simplest car maintenance tasks, drivers often neglect to check their tire pressure regularly. It only takes a few minutes and an accurate gauge—whether in Burbank or while traveling—to complete this task easily.

Here’s how to get it done:

1. To determine the appropriate psi for your tire, you can either locate the internal label usually found on the driver's side door or refer to your owner's manual.

2. Take off the valve cap of one of your tires and attach the tire gauge to the valve stem.

3. When the psi reading drops below the recommended level, adding air is required.

4. If needed, go to the closest gas station, which has numerous air machines available, to modify your tire pressure. Inflate appropriately until you attain the desired psi measurement.

Regularly practicing this during colder seasons will ensure optimal tire performance and reduce the likelihood of unexpected incidents while driving.

What Happens if You Ignore It?

Although ignoring tire pressure maintenance might appear simple, it could lead to expensive issues down the road. Apart from diminishing fuel efficiency and causing uneven tire wear, there's a greater probability of encountering blowouts or flats. This risk escalates noticeably during colder temperatures when the tires become underinflated.

Picture yourself heading off for a weekend escape, only to end up marooned beside the road due to deflated tires caused by insufficient air pressure. Although this predicament can be sidestepped, it occurs frequently among numerous motorists.

The Role of Modern Technology in Tire Pressure Monitoring

Your newer vehicle likely has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that notifies you when tire pressure falls below safe levels through a dashboard warning light.

Although the TPMS provides benefits, it should not be solely relied on as a replacement for manual tire checks. In certain cases, the system may only notify you after a substantial decrease in pressure has occurred. Proactive actions like regularly examining and adjusting tire pressures are essential to guarantee your vehicle operates efficiently under Burbank's climate circumstances.

Cold Weather Tire Care Tips for Burbank Drivers

While Burbank does not experience extremely cold temperatures, it remains important to maintain your tires during fall and winter due to the cooler nighttime climate that can affect tire pressure, primarily in October. To ensure complete readiness for any occurrence, consider adopting these practices:

Check your pressure more frequently: As the temperature decreases, it becomes crucial to heighten your tire pressure monitoring. Exercise enhanced caution and conduct regular inspections.

Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure: Adhering to your vehicle manufacturer's guidelines is crucial for maintaining the recommended tire pressure and avoiding overinflation, which are key factors for achieving optimal performance.

Inspect for wear and tear: Inspecting your tires for wear and tear during colder months is crucial, as the weather can worsen any existing damage. Take some time to carefully examine both tire treads and sidewalls, paying attention to cracks, bulges, or unusual wear patterns.

Invest in high-quality tires: As autumn approaches, it is advisable to contemplate acquiring top-notch tires if your current set is approaching the end of its life. These exceptional-grade tires offer enhanced control and grip in decreasing temperatures and boast a longer operational span than their standard counterparts.

Keep Rolling Smoothly This Fall

It's crucial to consider the impact of cold weather on tire pressure during changing seasons. Proper tire maintenance can help preserve fuel efficiency, handling performance, and ride comfort even in low temperatures.

Being completely ready to enjoy each mile of your journey, paying attention to your tire care can enhance scenic excursions and thrilling experiences on cool autumn days.

When seeking professional assistance, contact us at Future Auto Service regarding any of your vehicle maintenance needs in Burbank, CA, and neighboring areas. We stand by our work and provide a nationwide 24-month/24,000-mile warranty. Our facility is AAA-certified, and we have ASE-certified technicians. We can be found at 820 S Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502, and available via phone call  (818) 239-7201 call. We hope to be there for you and become a staple in your vehicle’s life.