How Cold Temperatures Affect Your Tires

The beginning of the winter season can be erratic. Some days, the temperature can be above fifty degrees with sunshine, and the next day could be in the thirties with heavy snowfall. These fluctuating temperatures can take a toll on your car’s wheels. To find out how cold temperatures affect your tires, keep reading below. You’ll be glad to find some helpful tips at the end.

Constant Decrease in Pressure

If you haven’t yet experienced it, you may begin to notice your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a lot more active than before. No need to panic; there’s nothing wrong with the TPMS. In fact, you should be happy—it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to. During the winter season, your TPMS is a lot more active due to the fact that cold temperatures affect your tires by causing a decrease in tire pressure. For every ten degrees the temperature drops, you can expect to lose one psi, or pound per square inch, in your tire pressure.

If you notice your TPMS light has come on, be sure to use a tool that can accurately measure your tires’ air pressure. Doing so will ensure you don’t over- or underinflate your tires.

Uneven and Accelerated Tire Wear

It’s recommended that you inflate your tires as often as the TPMS’s signaling light turns on, no matter how tedious doing so can become. This is because driving around with underinflated tires can cause uneven and accelerated wear. Over time, this can take its toll on the quality of your tires. Don’t go into the winter season with brand-new tires only to approach the spring and summer with worn-down ones.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Tires in the Winter

If you’re noticing these problems in your tires, try out these tips and tricks to alleviate the burdens of winter driving:

• Check your tire pressure every time you pump gas. This will alleviate the number of unexpected alerts your TPMS gives you.
• Ensure you’re inflating your tires to the correct specifications. In the jamb of your driver’s-side door, you’ll find pressure levels specific to your vehicle.
• Invest in the right tools. If you don’t already have a tire pressure gauge, you’re going to want to purchase one to keep in your glove compartment.

By educating yourself on the ways cold temperatures affect your tires, you’ll be able to approach the winter season as a much more confident driver. And if you find yourself needing a whole new set of wheels, check out our website. Here at Wheelership, we have 2011 Hyundai Sonata Rims and so much more. You can count on us for aftermarket and OEM factory-replica wheels. For any questions regarding our products, give us a call.