How your tires are affected in the winter and how to avoid issues? You need more preparation than just having seasonal tires before the cold season hits. You also need to check the pressure of your winter tires. And you must know that a sudden drop in temperature can affect your tires.
So, when it comes to choosing the right winter tires for your vehicle, brand reputation matters. One such reputable brand is Dunlop. Before making a decision, it’s worth checking out these Dunlop Tire Reviews to see which model fits the best.
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Tires deflation in winter
When the temperature drops, the tires adapt to the changing climatic conditions by deflating. The results are sometimes imperceptible as the reduction in pressure is limited.
If you have not checked your tire pressure for a few weeks, it can cause some serious trouble to your tires. Parking your car on the street in icy conditions could lead to a vehicle that is no longer safe and consumes more fuel the next morning.
How does tire pressure affect vehicle performance?
Checking tire pressure before departure is a good practice for all vehicles especially the best sedans for snow. There are many reasons to check air pressure.
And the most important and practical reason is the correct tire pressure to help save fuel throughout the movement and operation of the vehicle.
We must warn that over-inflated tires are hazardous for the driver in many situations while driving. The standard air pressure in the tire directly affects the durability and the smoothness. Even the traction and braking force of the brakes are also affected by the air pressure.
How does temperature affect winter tire pressure?
Without going into the theoretical foundations and ignoring the heating of the rubber on the asphalt, the phenomenon of cold flat tires can be explained by the second Gay-Lussac law.
Assuming the internal volume of the rubber remains unchanged, pressure and temperature can go up and down drastically. It means that in a rubber system if the air is cooled, its temperature will speak.
And so will the pressure. By inflating tires in the winter, the pressure difference can become apparent within a few hours.
Tire pressure in winter
To see how much tire pressure is affected by the cold, let’s consider 180R14 tires, which are suitable for most midsize cars. If the thermometer column drops to 0 degrees Celsius, we can reduce the pressure from 2.1 bar to 1.96 bar at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. If the last tire check was in summer, the 0.14 bar reduction could be even bigger.
When the tire is punctured, the braking distance is increased, the cornering grip is not ideal, the rolling resistance is increased by 1/10, the fuel consumption is increased by 2%, and the uneven wear of the tire, noise and environmental pollution are also problems.
For several years, all new cars certified in the EU have had to come with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors for pressure monitoring. If your new car is not planned, you can entrust tire testing to an aftermarket TPMS system.
Features of winter car tires
Winter tires are designed with a rubber compound to stay soft in cold conditions. The tire surface has deep grooves for optimal traction when you drive in winter and freezing weather.
In addition, winter car tires are equipped with large rubber studs to help the vehicle increase traction and drive more safely in harsh weather such as water grabs, heavy snow, and icy roads.
Users can identify winter tires by the “M+S” or “3PMSF” symbols. In particular, tires with the “3PMSF – 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol have been tested for safety. \
It ensures consistent tire performance in low winter ambient temperatures. To ensure safety, users should choose tires with this logo.
Why do car tires deflate in winter?
During the winter, many people may see a low tire pressure warning light on the car dashboard, or just the tires appearing flattered than usual. The main reason for this is that low temperatures cause the air to become denser, which reduces tire pressure. Of course, the tire pressure of the car will naturally decrease after a period of use, and it may also be punctured.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has been required on all new models since September 2007 and has become a safe and convenient tool for every driver. When it detects a drop in tire pressure, the system notifies the driver by turning on a light on the dashboard.
Also, tire pressure drops by one psi when the temperature drops about 12 degrees Celsius. So when you see the tire pressure warning light on a cold winter morning, do not worry too much about your tires being flat or having a hole, because the tires are just reducing pressure. All you need to do is inflate the decompressed tire as soon as possible.
As you continue driving, the tires will heat and may cause the warning lights to go out automatically. However, whether the light is off, you will need to use a gauge to check tire pressure and inflate it if necessary. You can buy a tire pressure gauge at home or take your car to the garage to have it checked.
Conclusion
Finally, you must make a plan to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Do not wait until you see the tire pressure warning light to perform car maintenance, as the warning light only alerts you to a drop in tire pressure while driving, not a maintenance schedule.
Whether your vehicle comes with an advanced TPMS system or not, and whether the weather is hot or cold, checking the pressure of all tires with a pressure gauge will make your driving experience safer and smoother than ever. Quick preparation and maintenance can save you from many troubles!
FAQs
Q1: What problems can arise from winter’s wrath on my tires?
Here’s the lowdown on potential troubles: Reduced traction, Uneven wear, Blowouts, and Cracking.
Q2: How are tires affected by cold temperatures?
Cold temperatures cause tire rubber to harden, reducing traction, and tire pressure decreases, affecting overall performance.
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