What does cold tire pressure mean?
2 Answers
Cold tire pressure: 1. Cold tire pressure refers to the tire pressure at normal temperature (room temperature). After driving, the car can reach normal temperature after being parked for 1-2 hours, and the tire pressure at this time is the cold tire pressure. 2. Secondly, the tire pressure alarm indicates that one or more tires have abnormal pressure, either below or above the standard value. It is recommended to visit a tire repair shop as soon as possible to check for air leaks, insufficient air, or excessive tire pressure. Additional information is as follows: Effects of low or high tire pressure: 1. Tire pressure will rise or fall with changes in temperature and tire temperature. Generally, for cars and SUVs, the tire pressure when cold is around 2.3-2.5 bar. 2. Both low and high tire pressure can affect the service life of the tire. 3. If the tire pressure is too low, the radial deformation increases, causing excessive deformation on both sides of the tire wall, leading to shoulder wear on the tread. This also increases the tire temperature, significantly reducing the tire's service life. 4. If the tire pressure is too high, the tire's rigidity increases, deformation and contact area decrease, resulting in higher unit pressure in the center of the tread and accelerated wear. 5. This leads to central tread wear, affecting comfort and reducing the tire's lifespan.
I didn't understand tire pressure very well before, but later I learned that cold tire pressure refers to the pressure value when the car is parked and completely cooled down. Especially after a long trip, don't rush to measure it—the reading won't be accurate when the tires are hot. Generally, if the car has been parked for over three hours or driven only a couple of kilometers, it's considered cold. This value is crucial because the recommended tire pressure in the car's manual and on the door frame sticker is based on cold conditions. Once, I was in a hurry and inflated the tires while they were still hot, only to find the pressure had dropped too low the next morning, making the car wobble while driving. Later, I realized the difference between cold and hot tire pressure could be as much as 10%. Now, I've made it a habit to check and adjust the pressure to the standard value every Sunday morning before leaving the garage. In winter, when temperatures drop quickly, I check more frequently since rubber contracts and pressure tends to drop. Maintaining the correct cold tire pressure not only ensures stable cornering but also promotes even tire wear, saving a lot on fuel costs over a year.
