How obsessive do I have to be about tire pressure?

[efisher]

With the heat we are having in NJ, the tire pressure has gone up from the standard 39 psi to 41-42 psi. I was wondering if I must let air out of my tires, (and then go refill them when the temperature goes back down to normal,) or if this heat related fluctuation is OK to ignore.

Sponsored

 

[BMT1071]

With the heat we are having in NJ, the tire pressure has gone up from the standard 39 psi to 41-42 psi. I was wondering if I must let air out of my tires, (and then go refill them when the temperature goes back down to normal,) or if this heat related fluctuation is OK to ignore.

If you are satisfied with the ride/handling you can leave it. Going below the recommended pressure is more of a concern than being over by a few psi.

 

[generaltso]

The 39psi recommendation is based on cold tires. Manufacturers know that the pressure will increase as the tires warm up, and that's not an issue.

 

[mr_raider]

I have one tire at 37 and three at 38. Oh no.....

 

[dml105]

The 39psi recommendation is based on cold tires. Manufacturers know that the pressure will increase as the tires warm up, and that's not an issue.

He means that with the temperature rising, the cold pressure is also rising. I’m seeing the same thing. I set my cold pressure at 39 in April. Last night around 2-3am, I noticed it was 42, having not driven it in several hours. That’s natural—it’s getting hit in Virginia.

 

[sockmeister]

With the heat we are having in NJ, the tire pressure has gone up from the standard 39 psi to 41-42 psi. I was wondering if I must let air out of my tires, (and then go refill them when the temperature goes back down to normal,) or if this heat related fluctuation is OK to ignore.

I do - I let some air out of the tires. In the fall I'll be filling it up again as it gets colder. I try to hover around +/- 1 psi within 39 while the tires are cold.

 

[Dr Obnxs]

I track drive (not the MME, other cars). When one is really "in tune" to handling, noticing a deviation as low as 1-2 psi isn't hard. On a single tire!

As others have stated, target pressures are for COLD TIRES! them going up as much as 5 PSI when used in anger isn't unusual. Track drivers ignore the stickers, and check pressures when hot to really tune handling.

You can't escape the ideal gas law! PV=nRT! As ambient temps change, so will "cold" pressures.

You can "tune".... Dropping a few PSI improves traction, degrades mileage. Going up does the opposite. Yes, this means if you're going on a long freeway cruise, setting to 40-42 COLD will increase range. Not sure how much, I haven't tested it.

Sponsored