What should your tire pressure be in summer?

Tire pressure is an essential factor in ensuring a smooth and non-problematic ride. The air inside tires is sensitive to changes in temperature. This is why it is important to keep an eye on the tire pressure and if it is ideal for the road and the car in question.

Although tire pressure can remain constant throughout the year, this is not the case for places that have frequent changes in temperature or if you are going on a trip and such.

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What should your tire pressure be?

The ideal tire pressure of each car is different. For the most accurate measure, it is recommended that you consult the manufacturer. In general, a 10-degree increase in Fahrenheit causes an increase of 1 pound per square inch (psi) difference in air pressure.

The normal temperature at which tire pressure is more or less regular is 20 degrees Celsius. Both overinflation as well as underinflation can cause inconvenience at best and serious road accidents at worst. In general, the recommended tire pressure is said to be 30 to 35 psi for cars.

During summers, with an increase in temperature, the air inside the tire expands. Due to this, there is mostly overinflation. In extreme cases, the tire can even burst if the air in it expands too much. However, it is always recommended that tire pressure be reduced only when the tire cools down. In this way, the ideal tire pressure can be achieved more accurately as manufacturers usually give the tire pressure for cold tires.

The European tire and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO 2001) also suggested that hot pressure can be up to 20 % higher than cold and that under no circumstances should hot tires be pressured to the recommended cold tire pressure given by the car manufacturers.

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How to check your tire pressure?

You must check your tire pressure regularly to keep track of the air pressure. When it is an ideal measure, it is not only safe but also ensures a smooth ride. Although you can always get your tire pressure checked at your nearest garage or petrol pump, you can do it at home too.

Here are steps to check your tire pressure at home:

• Make sure your tire is cold. This can be achieved if it has not been driven for at least three hours.
• Check on the ideal measure provided by the manufacturer for the model of your car. This is usually provided on the inside label of all tires.
• Get a pressure gauge. Using it, remove the cap from the tire and attach it to the stem of the pressure gauge.
• Press down on the tire to remove any excess air. This can be understood by the hissing sound made. Keep pressing till the air hissing sound reduces.
• Wait for the reading on the gauge to become stable and match it with the one mentioned by your manufacturer.
• If the reading comes higher, you will have to let some air out; if it comes lower than recommended, you will have to insert more air. Make sure to do these in small measures with continuous checking so as to not overdo it.

Make sure to check all tires of your vehicle. The difference in pressure for even one can have a huge impact and cause accidents. If you are getting your tire checked at a petrol pump, it is likely that your car will not be in its cool condition as is required. Make sure to adjust your psi accordingly.