
In summer, the normal tire pressure is generally suitable between 2.2-2.4 bar. As the temperature and road surface temperature rise, the tire pressure can easily increase during high-speed or long-distance driving. Excessive tire pressure can lead to brake failure and may cause tire bursts when encountering road protrusions or depressions. Hazards of excessive tire pressure: The friction and adhesion of the tires will decrease, affecting braking performance; It can cause steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; Accelerates localized wear of the central tread pattern, shortening tire lifespan; Increases vehicle body vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; Causes excessive stretching deformation of tire cords, reducing tire elasticity and increasing the load on the vehicle during driving; Decreases puncture resistance. When encountering sharp objects like nails or glass on the road, they can easily penetrate the tire, causing internal cracks and bursts, leading to tire blowouts.

Last time I watched the tire shop technician help someone with a check, I specifically asked about summer tire pressure issues. Actually, the standard pressure should be checked on the door frame label or the vehicle manual, generally for family cars in cold tire condition it's between 2.3-2.5 bar. Now in the summer heat, many people think they should increase the tire pressure to prevent blowouts, but that's actually wrong—you should inflate to the original cold tire value. The other day, a neighbor's SUV had the tire pressure manually increased to 2.8, resulting in the middle part of the tire's contact surface wearing out much faster on the highway. It's recommended to measure before using the car in the early morning; after running for twenty minutes, the tire temperature can rise by more than ten degrees, increasing the pressure by 0.3 bar—too full is really not good. Also, it's essential to have a reliable tire pressure gauge; the mechanical ones at gas stations can have an error of up to 0.2 bar.

The biggest fear when driving in summer is accidents caused by abnormal tire pressure. Tire pressure should not be too high or too low. Exceeding the standard value by 0.5 bar may cause a blowout, while being 0.3 bar below can lead to abnormal overheating. Last week, a car in the neighborhood had a bulging tire, which was caused by long-term underinflation combined with hot weather and road temperatures soaring to 60°C. Tire pressure should be measured after the car has been stationary for three hours or early in the morning before driving. For example, a B-segment sedan's cold tire pressure is suitable at 2.4 bar, while a compact car might only need 2.2 bar. Don't forget to check the spare tire either—some vehicles require the spare to be inflated to 4.2 bar, which is twice the pressure of regular tires. Incorrect tire pressure also significantly increases fuel consumption, potentially adding an extra liter per 100 kilometers.

The safest approach for summer tire pressure is to stick to the manufacturer's recommended values. You'll find a small label on your door frame or inside the fuel filler cap indicating the recommended pressure. For most vehicles, it's between 2.3-2.5 bar. The key is to measure when the tires are cold – ideally after the car has been parked overnight. In summer, asphalt roads can exceed 60°C under direct sunlight, causing tires to heat up after just a few kilometers of driving. In such cases, you should subtract 0.2-0.3 bar from the measured value to approximate the true cold tire pressure. I make it a habit to visually inspect my tires every time I refuel – if the tire sidewall shows protruding wear indicators, it indicates severe underinflation. Once I noticed my front right tire was 0.5 bar low, and upon inspection, found a nail puncture. Addressing such issues promptly can prevent major problems.

Tire pressure should be adjusted based on the condition of the tires. For new tires with good grip, inflate to the lower limit of the standard value, e.g., if the manufacturer recommends 2.3-2.5 bar, go with 2.3 bar. For older tires that have been used for 3-4 years or frequently driven on gravel roads, it's advisable to inflate to the upper limit of the standard value. Pay extra attention before long summer trips—I usually recheck with my portable digital tire pressure gauge at rest stops. Even cars with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) should be manually verified, as sensors may have a 0.1 bar margin of error. Last week, while helping my brother check, I found the left rear tire was 0.2 bar lower than the right rear. Upon disassembling the rim, we discovered the valve stem had aged and was leaking.

Pro tip: Summer tire pressure should be slightly lower than in winter. In winter, I inflate to the upper limit of the standard value at 2.5 bar, then adjust back to 2.3 bar when summer comes. This is because air expands more noticeably in hot weather - a cold tire at 2.3 bar will rise to about 2.6 bar when driving, which stays within the safe range. Last month I helped my neighbor adjust his tire pressure - he was using summer tires but inflated them to winter specs at 3.0 bar, making the ride uncomfortably stiff over speed bumps. Also consider load conditions: when carrying full rear passengers, tire pressure can be 0.1-0.2 bar higher than standard. It's wise to keep a digital tire pressure gauge in your glovebox and check monthly. This prevents uneven tire wear like my colleague experienced from a 0.4 bar pressure difference that ruined his tires.


