Should You Deflate Tires in Summer?
2 Answers
It is not necessary to deflate tires in summer. Whether tires need to be deflated depends on the specific situation. Criteria for Deflation: If the cold tire pressure is higher than the manufacturer's recommended standard tire pressure, deflation is needed. If the cold tire pressure is lower than the standard tire pressure, deflation is not required. The principle is to maintain the manufacturer's recommended standard tire pressure. There is no need to deliberately increase or decrease it, as both overinflation and underinflation can affect tire performance, potentially damaging the tires and compromising driving safety. Checking Recommended Tire Pressure: Every vehicle has a standard tire pressure value, which can usually be found in the vehicle's user manual, on the label near the driver's side door (B-pillar), in the drawer next to the driver's seat, or on the fuel tank cap. Different car brands and models have different recommended standard tire pressures. Generally, the recommended tire pressure for sedans is between 2.2-2.5 bar, while for SUVs, it ranges from 2.3-3.0 bar.
Having driven for decades, I used to think it was safer to let some air out of the tires in the hot summer, but this is actually a complete misconception. I remember last summer when temperatures soared, my neighbor Lao Zhang casually released some air, only to have his tire overheat and burst on the highway—fortunately, nothing serious happened. Tire pressure is a critical aspect of vehicle design, with standard values listed on the door pillar or in the manual, typically around 32 to 35 psi. In hot weather, the pressure may increase slightly, but there’s no need to release air—doing so could lead to underinflation, increasing wear risk, fuel consumption, and even the chance of losing control. Nowadays, I make it a habit to check the pressure monthly in the morning when the tires are cold, using a digital pressure gauge to adjust it to the recommended level. I also recommend keeping an eye on the tire pressure monitoring system and addressing any alerts promptly. These small details can extend tire life by three to five years, making driving both safer and more economical.
