Is a tire pressure of 260 normal in winter?
3 Answers
Winter tire pressure of 260kpa is within the normal range. Here are the specific details about car tire pressure: 1. Tire pressure should not be too high or too low. If the tire pressure is too low, it can cause wave-like deformation during high-speed driving, increasing the risk of a blowout. If the tire pressure is too high, it reduces the contact area between the tire and the ground, leading to decreased traction. 2. After entering winter, it is recommended to inflate the tires to prevent low tire pressure. Winter road temperatures are relatively low, so it's necessary to add air to avoid low tire pressure. 3. During regular use, check the tire surface for any obvious damage or cracks. Tires can age over time with prolonged use. 4. After installing new tires, it is essential to perform a dynamic balance test on each wheel to prevent abnormal vibrations during high-speed driving.
A tire pressure of 260 kPa in winter seems slightly high to me and may not be the optimal value. Most vehicles recommend a tire pressure between 200 and 250 kPa. In winter, due to lower temperatures causing air contraction, the pressure is typically 10 to 20 kPa higher than in summer. However, 260 kPa exceeds this range, which can easily lead to excessive wear in the center of the tire, affecting its lifespan. You might feel the car is stiff when driving, with unstable cornering or longer braking distances, especially increasing the risk of skidding on icy or snowy roads. For driving safety, I recommend using a tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure in the morning when the tires are cold and adjust it according to the recommended value on the door frame. If it's too high, reducing it to around 240 kPa would be more balanced. Regularly checking tire pressure can prevent unnecessary wear.
I just thought of my car last winter when I saw this question - I also set it to 260 kPa, and it was okay but not as good as I expected. Cold winter air naturally causes tire pressure to drop a bit, so 260 isn't outrageous but is slightly high. My car's recommended range is 230 to 250, so driving with higher pressure resulted in more tire noise and a slight increase in fuel consumption. From personal experience, don't always rely on feeling - it's best to check monthly when the tires are cold or use the free air pumps at gas stations to calibrate. High tire pressure tends to cause the center of the tread to wear faster than the edges, shortening tire life, while low pressure affects handling. On slippery winter roads, maintaining the correct pressure makes driving much better - definitely don't overlook this small detail.
