What is the appropriate tire pressure in winter?

[VanColin]

Winter tire pressure is appropriate between 2.6bar and 2.7bar. If the tire pressure is too high, it will reduce the contact area between the tire and the ground, leading to poor tire grip. If the tire pressure is too low, the tire may experience wave deformation during high-speed driving, which will reduce the tire's service life and increase the risk of a blowout. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire. In car maintenance, the engine is the heart of the car, and engine damage will lead to the end of the car's life. Similarly, tire pressure is the blood pressure of the car, and the level of tire pressure plays a very important role in the performance and power of the car.

[McEleanor]

When I first got on the highway, I noticed the tires were a bit flat, so I did some research on this issue. Simply put, winter tire pressure is usually slightly higher than in summer, with the most stable range being around 2.2-2.5 bar. Last month, I actually tested this—after leaving the car overnight, the cold tire pressure was 2.0 bar in the morning, and it dropped to 1.8 bar after just two kilometers of driving. So now I make it a habit to check every two weeks, measuring before driving in the morning for the most accurate reading. Don’t rely solely on the onboard monitoring system; keep a cheap mechanical tire pressure gauge in the glove box as a backup. When inflating, remember to go 0.2 bar above the manufacturer’s recommended value, and top up a bit more when a cold snap hits—this ensures enough grip on icy or snowy roads.

[McValentina]

A while ago, while helping my elderly neighbor adjust tire pressure, we discussed how winter tire pressure requires special attention. First, check the standard value on the door frame label—for example, my car specifies 2.3 bar, so in winter I inflate to 2.4-2.5 bar. Here's a tip: when filling up at a gas station, let the car cool for 20 minutes before inflating, and don't leave immediately afterward. Drive for three minutes, then return to check the pressure again for a more accurate reading. Insufficient tire pressure really wastes fuel—once, mine was 0.3 bar low, and my fuel consumption increased by half a liter. Now, before heading out, I always squat down to check the tire contact patch. If the outer edges are wearing more, the pressure is too high; if the center is bulging, it needs more air.

[EmmanuelDella]

Last week when changing to winter tires, the technician mentioned a key point: don't rigidly adhere to the standard tire pressure values in winter. For vehicles parked outdoors overnight, the tire pressure should be at least 0.2 bar higher than the manufacturer's recommendation. For example, if the recommended pressure is 2.4, inflate to 2.6. Cars parked in underground garages with smaller temperature variations can add less pressure. Recently, I found it quite practical to use a mobile app to track tire pressure changes. Before the last cold wave forecast, I topped up the air in advance, and sure enough, the tire pressure didn't drop in the morning. Don't wait for the warning light to come on before taking action. It's more reliable to manually check the tire pressure with a mechanical gauge twice a month. Remember, it's normal for tire pressure to drop by 7-10 kPa for every 10°C decrease in temperature.