What's the Difference Between Summer and Winter Tire Pressure?
2 Answers
The difference between summer and winter tire pressure lies in the fact that winter tire pressure should be slightly higher than normal, while summer pressure should be appropriately lower. The normal tire pressure for small passenger cars is around 2.3 bar. In summer, tires are prone to heat up, and high tire pressure can easily lead to blowouts. More details are as follows: 1. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire. Both excessively high and low pressure will shorten the tire's lifespan. Low pressure increases tire deformation, leading to cracks on the sidewalls and causing flexing movements, which generate excessive heat, accelerate rubber aging, fatigue the cord layers, and break the cords. It also increases the tire's contact area, speeding up shoulder wear. 2. Excessive pressure overextends the tire cords, reducing the tire's elasticity and increasing the load on the car while driving. In case of impact, it may cause internal cracks or blowouts. High pressure also accelerates tread wear and reduces puncture resistance. 3. The ideal car tire pressure is between 2.4-2.5 bar. In winter, it's advisable to increase the standard tire pressure by about 0.2 bar. In summer, the pressure should generally be about 0.1 bar lower than the standard to prevent blowouts due to high temperatures.
I've been driving for over 30 years and always pay attention to tire pressure changes with the seasons. In summer, high temperatures cause the air in tires to expand significantly. If the tire pressure is too high, the temperature can skyrocket during highway driving, increasing the risk of a blowout. So in summer, tire pressure should follow the recommended value on the door placard—don't arbitrarily add more. Winter is the opposite: cold air compresses tire pressure, which can lead to insufficient grip, especially dangerous on icy or snowy roads. I usually increase tire pressure by about 10-15% in winter to compensate for contraction and ensure stable braking. The best time to check tire pressure is in the morning when the car is cold, as temperature has minimal impact. Regular adjustments also reduce tire wear and improve handling—safety comes first. After adopting this habit, I've noticed my car runs more fuel-efficiently, and my tires last longer.
