As temperatures start dropping on Fall evenings, vehicles need to consider a new danger: falling tire pressures.
Tires can lose 1 pound of pressure for every 10 degrees in temperature drop. This isn’t usually a problem in the summer or winter, when the temperature only waivers by twenty degrees.
But in the fall, when days are still hot but nights are cooler, that can mean temperature swings of 40 degrees or more!
A change of 4 pounds of pressure can make a big difference in a tire. Under-inflated tires can cause a car to take much longer to stop and provide sluggish handling on slick roads covered with rain and leaves.
More than that, under-inflated tires wear unevenly — meaning tires need to be prematurely replaced — and cause decreased gas mileage. Both mean wasted money!
All of this means that during fall it’s especially important to do regular tire pressure checks.
The secret? Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment. They’re cheap, small, and they mean you can check your tires at home, while they’re still cold. That’s an important distinction, because after you drive on them and the tires warm up, the pressure is artificially higher.
By checking at home before driving, you can know how much to fill them when you get to the gas station.
Be sure to check tires regularly this fall (and all winter long) to make sure you’re not wasting money or making your family unsafe! And if you’re still not sure how to check the pressure or need help filling them, stop by and let us help.
Bring your vehicle into Foreign Accents in Greensboro. Our auto repair experts will show you how to check the tire pressure and know the optimal tire pressure for your vehicle and your specific tires. As part of a thorough vehicle inspection, our auto repair experts will let you know about any other issues that may be affecting your tires. Call us at 366.294.2137 to schedule an appointment.