Is It Normal for the Tire Pressure Warning to Go Off in Winter?
2 Answers
It is normal for the tire pressure warning to activate in winter. As the weather gets colder and temperatures drop, the air inside the tires is affected by the temperature, causing the tire pressure to decrease and trigger the warning. Generally, it is recommended to check the tire pressure at least once a month and adjust it during seasonal changes. The ideal times for adjustment are in November and May. By November, winter has usually set in, and tire pressure tends to decrease. Therefore, in winter, it is advisable to adjust the tire pressure based on the standard tire pressure for your car's tires, increasing it by approximately 0.2 bar. According to the international GBT2978-2008 standard, the recommended tire pressures for different types of tires are as follows: standard tires should be inflated to 2.4-2.5 bar; reinforced tires to 2.8-2.9 bar; the maximum pressure should not exceed 3.5 bar. If the tire pressure is too high or too low, the tire pressure warning indicator will alert the driver.
Tire pressure warnings in winter are quite common. I've encountered this several times while driving in Northeast China. The main reason is that as temperatures drop, the air inside the tires contracts, causing the tire pressure to decrease. When the vehicle's tire pressure sensor detects that the pressure has fallen below the standard value, it triggers an alarm. This isn't a major issue—it's a normal physical reaction—but it serves as a reminder to check your tire pressure promptly. If temperatures rise, the tire pressure may return to normal and the warning will disappear. However, if the warning persists, it means the tire pressure is indeed too low and needs to be inflated immediately. I recommend checking your tire pressure at least every two weeks during winter, keeping it within the manufacturer's recommended range (usually the value listed on the label on the door frame). Ignoring this can increase the risk of a blowout and affect fuel efficiency. Safety comes first, so it's best to address it early.
