Why Air Pressure Changes with Weather

Winter in Georgia certainly isn’t boring! With temperatures fluctuating from hot to cold this month, you may have noticed your tire pressure light going on.

The Science of Temperature and Air Pressure

Have you ever wondered why air pressure changes with the weather (or even while driving your car)? There is a direct relationship between temperature and air pressure. Hot temperatures cause gases to expand. This is why summer weather (or simply driving your car) can cause your tires to over inflate. Likewise, cold temperatures cause gasses to constrict. Again, this is why cold weather cause tires to (temporarily) deflate.

How Often Should I Check Tire Air Pressure?

First of all, you should always check tire pressure “cold” (i.e. when your car has been resting for a bit). Checking it while hot can cause an improper reading and can result in too low of tire pressure. Under normal circumstances, tire air pressure should be checked monthly. If you strike a curb, run over something sharp, or if there’s a cold snap, you should consider checking it more often.

Keeping your tires inflated properly will help them last longer, but when it’s time to replace your tires, U-Wrench-It has you covered! Visit us online or in-person to find affordable replacement parts for your car. You can browse our prices and parts catalog online or contact us at (770) 448-6485 for more info about available parts. And don’t forget to sign up for our Mobile VIP Club for all the latest updates on used auto parts in Norcross!