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mikestock's avatar
mikestock
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015

Tire pressure increase at summer temperatures

I am fairly new to class A traveling so I'm seeing things for the first time.

Before I begin a trip my tires register between 101 and 104 psi on my TPMS. They are 16 ply and can handle up to 120 psi, but according to my axle weights I can get by with as little as 95 psi.

My TPMS is set to alarm at 95 psi and 120 psi. On my last trip of about 100 miles and ambient temperature at about 80, the high pressure alarm sounded. Upon checking, the pressures ranged from 112 to 121 psi. I expect temperature to rise when driving but am surprised at the amount of rise I get. I usually maintain a speed between 60 and 65. We often get summer temps here at 95+ in July and August, so I expect pressures to rise even more.

Just curious as to what others experience when driving in warm temperatures. Do you ever drop the pressure to maintain a pressure below recommended max or just go with cold pressure and not worry about rise?

15 Replies

  • Good advice,

    And, cold pressure is defined by ALL tire manufacturers as that at the current ambient temperature before driving or exposure to sun or other factors.
  • Tire pressures are to be set COLD and then forget about it until next time to check them COLD.

    Elevation changes pressure and heat changes pressures......all of these changes are engineered into tire by mfg.

    Set tires COLD and forget about the rise in pressure while driving.

    If you didn't have (when you didn't have) that TPMS you would set tire pressure COLD and then GO..........n0w you have more info that is confusing you. :B
  • sch911 wrote:
    I only set the pressures based on load per the manufacturer specifications. No need to go any higher than what is required.


    I, admitidly, am a little high, based on weight and the Continental tire recommendations, but the RV manuel recommends 110 if you don't know your loaded axle weights. I just know that I want to stay above, rather than below the recommended pressure.

    My basic concern, and the reason for posting this, is, whether or not the pressure rise is anything to be concerned about. I am probably goung to see 125 to 130 psi when it really gets hot.
  • I go with the cold PSI. The max rated PSI on your tire is cold psi and they design them to handle higher temps due to travel.
  • I only set the pressures based on load per the manufacturer specifications. No need to go any higher than what is required.