As the temperature drops, so too does your tyre pressure. Cold weather causes the air inside tyres to contract, leading to lower pressure and reduced stability. In this guide, we explain what happens to your tyres in colder conditions, how to recognise pressure loss, and what steps you can take to stay safe and fuel-efficient throughout winter.
Most drivers have at least heard of the concept of winter tyres for cold weather. Designed with a different construction, and with materials and a tread pattern that is well suited to wet and potentially icy surfaces, winter tyres keep a vehicle safe and stable in colder weather.
Of course, in the UK, the temperate climate means that winter tyres are not always necessary. Rather, we find that most drivers can safely opt for all season tyres, suitable for summer and winter owing to both being relatively mild compared to other destinations.
But even if you don’t opt for winter tyres in the colder months, paying close attention to tyre maintenance and upkeep means recognising the impact of different conditions on those tyres.
That includes, among other details, the tyre pressure and how much air the tyres retain.
What Happens to Tyres in Cold Weather
We probably don’t need to tell you that in cold weather, the road surfaces you typically drive on become more unpredictable. Ice and standing water can affect the traction between tyres and the road surface and can lead to a loss of control in minutes.
But that’s not all.
As the temperature drops and the weather gets colder, the air inside the tyre contracts and reduces in volume. This leads to a loss in air pressure, even with no air leak or damage to the tyre.
In short, the more you drive in cold weather, the higher the risk of a drop in air pressure, which in turn causes its own issues with the safety and stability of your tyres.
Understanding the Rate of Pressure Loss
One of the easiest ways to understand this is to consider that for every temperature drop of 10 degrees Celsius, tyres lose around 1-2 PSI (or 0.07 - 0.14 bar) of pressure.
When you look at the average transition from summer to winter in the UK, even if that only goes from 25 degrees down to 5 degrees, you are looking at a loss of around 4 PSI – which is significant!
How to Spot Pressure Loss
There are several signs that will let you know your tyres have lost pressure – however, the best thing to do is usually to perform regular checks with a pressure gauge and top tyres back up as the temperature continues to fluctuate.
Vibrations in the steering wheel are often an early sign of pressure loss, and the subsequent imbalance felt around all four corners of the vehicle. You may also find the vehicle pulling to one side very deliberately, and notice that there is a ticking noise while driving.
