Does temperature affect tyre pressure?

Temperature and tyre pressure

Temperature changes directly affect the air pressure inside your tyres. Understanding this relationship helps you maintain correct pressures year-round.

How temperature affects pressure

Tyre pressure drops by approximately 1 PSI for every 10°F (about 5.5°C) drop in temperature. This means a significant temperature change between seasons can cause a noticeable drop in pressure.

What this means in practice

• Your TPMS warning light may come on during a cold snap, even if there is no puncture
• Tyres that were correctly inflated in summer may be underinflated by several PSI in winter
• Conversely, tyres may become slightly overinflated during a hot spell

What to do

Check your tyre pressures more frequently during autumn and winter, when temperature swings are most common. Do not simply rely on the TPMS to alert you, as it typically only activates when pressure is significantly below the recommended level. A manual check with a gauge catches smaller drops much earlier.