For every 10º drop in temperature, tire pressure decreases 1-2 PSI. Basically, cold shrinks, while warm expands. It’s typical at this time of year for cars owners to get a “low tire pressure” warning and then get worried about their tires. In this case, what’s shrinking is the volume of air — less air equals less well-filled tires. Often people see the warning light in the morning when it’s coldest. Though it can be tempting to ignore that blinking light and go on your merry way, experts advise against it. The best thing to do is to perform a quick tire pressure check. If your gauge says you’ve got 32 PSI in every tire — or you’re within 1 PSI of that number — you can ignore the warning. If you add air and the problem persists, take your car to a mechanic for recalibration. The best time to do that is in the morning, or when your vehicle hasn’t been driven in several hours. The tires should be cold to give the most accurate reading. While receiving a "low tire pressure" warning isn't something you should panic about, you should also be vigilant in making sure your tires have adequate pressure as soon as you can. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire in the middle of winter.
