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TIRE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE
American Pride Automotive • Jan 12, 2014
It’s a common occurrence, but many people wonder if they should worry when the “tire pressure” light comes on after a cold snap. Especially in extreme temperature changes like the kinds we experience from week to week in Virginia (“polar vortex” to 72 degrees anyone?), a loss of tire pressure is to be expected. According to Goodyear, “air pressure in a tire typically goes down 1 to 2 pounds for ever 10 degrees of temperature change.” It’s physics.
While you shouldn’t freak out when your vehicle alerts you to low tire pressure in this situation, you also shouldn’t ignore it. Take the time to check pressure in each tire before the morning commute (when the tires are cold) and refill them with air according to manufacturer specifications. A good rule of thumb is to do this once a month regardless of crazy weather changes in order to keep your car riding smoothly and safely.
Riding on under-inflated tires can lead to uneven tread, poor fuel economy and even a damaged suspension system. Always keep a tire gauge on hand just in case. Also, be aware of the difference between a sudden loss of pressure (as in, you just ran over a nail) and a semi-gradual loss like the one described above. Tire damage could lead to a dangerous flat or even a blowout on the highway.
American Pride Automotive specializes in diagnosing vehicle problems of all sorts. If you’re concerned about the possibility of a serious tire or suspension system issue, call, contact, or come on in to any one of our three locations (Toano, Newport News or Williamsburg). American Pride’s ASE-certified technicians will pinpoint the source of the problem and get you back on the road in a secure and reliable vehicle.
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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