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Tire Maintenance Alert: Atmospheric Conditions can Affect Tire Pressure

Although most people don’t think about it, atmospheric changes including declining temperatures and varied elevations have a direct effect on the air pressure in your tires. With an ever-changing environment, it is important to understand the impact outdoor conditions can have on your tires.

Under normal conditions, tires can lose one psi (pound per square inch) per month. When temperatures drop, tires can lose an additional psi for every 10°F temperature decrease causing under inflation. Changes in elevation also affect tire pressure but in a different way. As atmospheric pressure decreases with rising heights, the air pressure inside the tire increases causing over inflation. Both over inflation and under inflation can reduce the gripping action of tires because the tread will not meet the road surface as it is designed to do. To remedy such problems, make sure your automobile is equipped with a dependable tire gauge at all times for proper air pressure assessment.

Regardless of environment, tire pressure should be checked monthly. Always keep your tires inflated to the pressure specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer which can be found on the sticker of your vehicle’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual. Your eyes can deceive you, so do not base your judgment upon the appearance of your tires. To ensure accuracy, always check your air pressure with a tire gauge when tires are cold. Driving heats up tires making the air pressure reading incorrect.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association 2003 survey, 40% of drivers do not check their air pressure on a monthly basis. Delaying time between air pressure checks can be dangerous, since tires perform four important functions.

1. to support the vehicle chassis off the ground
2. to help absorb shocks from the road surface
3. to aid in transmitting traction and braking forces to the road surface
4. to help change and maintain the direction of travel.

For these reasons, it is important to make sure your tires are properly maintained. Along with checking pressure, it is also recommended that tires be rotated every 5,000 miles as well as be examined routinely for tread wear or signs of damage.

For more information about tire safety and maintenance, visit www.tiresafety.com. This tire safety Web site, provided by Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), offers consumers educational tools and information about understanding the important role tires play in vehicle performance

For a Dependable Motor Vehicle
visit us in the Redwood Auto Care Center
Across the street from the Skyview Drive-In

2335 Soquel Drive
Santa Cruz CA 95065
831-462-4436
Monday-Friday/8:00 am-5:00 pm