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RobWNY's avatar
RobWNY
Explorer
Oct 28, 2019

Changes in Air Temp and Tire PSI

If airing up tires to 80 PSI (Manufacturer recommended Max cold pressure indicated on tire) while air temp is 45 degrees and then traveling to a warm climate, will I likely have to let some air out? What I'm getting at is this....I start out with air temps at 45 degrees, tires at 80 PSI. I travel to where the air temp is 80 degrees. From past experience here in the Northeast, I know that my tire PSI in the summer when traveling gets to near 100 PSI when air temps are in the 80's and remain around that temperature for the duration of my trip. But now, I'll be airing up tires to 80 PSI and going from a cool air temperature to a warm temperature along with hot tires from traveling. From what I've read, tire pressure increases about 2% for each 10 degree increase in temperature. Using that as a guide, my tire pressure will be in the neighborhood of 105-110 PSI. Should I start out at something less than 80 PSI or is this something I shouldn't be overly concerned with?

23 Replies

  • As always check the pressure and adjust when cold. If you change climate or altitude simply check and adjust pressure the next morning before you roll and before the sun is on the tires.

    Do not compensate in advance or check en-route. The tire manufacturer knows the pressure increases during travel and this is built into the design and recommended cold pressure.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Always neat to always have a 12VDC AIR COMPRESSOR in your vehicle... We carry one all the time and usually find a good use for it on every trip we make...

    I sit mine on the truck tail gate and clamp into 12VDC on the trailer tongue batteries. The hose then will walk around to all tires including my truck...

    Roy Ken
  • As a rule of thumb, air pressure in tires incraase about one psi for a temperature increase of 10 degrees F.

    Tire pressure should be set when cold. That is such as first thing in the morning or when the tires have not been running for at least 3 hours. The settings specified assume an ambient temperature of about 72 deg F.

    If the air temp you have is different, you can make a calculation such as: if ambient temperature is 52 deg F, reduce your pressure by 2 psi.

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