Submitted by movdqa t3_10rv0iw in newhampshire

I just added air to the tires on my car. One was reading 28 pounds yesterday (the alarm goes off at 27 pounds) and recommended is 35. Easy to let tire pressure drop from summer to winter. It is absolutely unpleasant to add air to tires when it is below freezing much less with the severe windchills this weekend.

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badenglishihave t1_j6ybx1e wrote

Every winter this happens and every year I ignore it since Roger Goodell told me that the ideal gas law is a myth.

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ForklkftJones t1_j6ymhk3 wrote

Definitely recommend keeping a tire pump in the car.

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movdqa OP t1_j6ynbmc wrote

I bought an electric (120 VAC) pump about 20 years ago because all of the gas stations went to non-free air and most of the pumps didn't work anyways. $20 for an electric pump really works out well instead of putting in a bunch of quarters when the seasons change.

I've heard about the pumps that run off the cigarette lighter and that sounds like a great innovation because you can use it on the road or help someone else out if they just need enough air to get to the next exit.

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ForklkftJones t1_j6yrcnx wrote

I got my car lighter pump at CVS and used a 40% coupon. I have had it for about 5 years now and it's perfect. Never had a problem. I too got sick of having to drive to the gas stations where either the free pump doesn't work or having to deal with a bunch coins and a time limit. Pep Boys did/does give free air, but it's much more convenient having your own pump.

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thread100 t1_j6yyq95 wrote

When you drive your car and the tires warm up from friction, do you let air out?

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movdqa OP t1_j6yz8o4 wrote

I generally try to follow the manufacturer's recommendation on tire pressure cold. I assume that they factor in the increased pressure from friction and temperature increases throughout the day.

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derek_morin1 t1_j6znw7a wrote

Need to replace that summer air with winter air

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[deleted] t1_j6zqleg wrote

Oh no, less than a minute to fill up a car in the cold. Soft. You’re not from here

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nobbyv t1_j704tx7 wrote

It’s true they don’t drop as much. They still drop enough to be significant. Nitrogen filled tires drop pressure by 1.9% for every 10F drop in temperature. A tire filled to 35PSI at 90F will be down almost 7PSI at the -10F temps we will see on Saturday. If you’ve only noticed a 1-2PSI change over temp, you’re either not driving it during wide temp fluctuations or are not paying attention.

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Royal_Gur_2651 t1_j71d4v6 wrote

Just be careful adding air when it’s this cold, the valve cores can get stuck open and leak.

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the_dunc_ t1_j722u7c wrote

Do more than check your pressures, check your sidewalls! If you have any severe dry rot or chunks of rubber taken out with interior chords showing, buy some new tires! Trust me you do not want to be stranded on a flat or blowout in the middle of a storm or snap freeze either.

Not to mention tire treads it's very easy to misinterpret how much stopping power, traction and control you have especially if you aren't well educated on cars. A lot of tires will start underperforming in wet and icy conditions even with 4/32 of tread left. A lot of tire places will charge you little to nothing to get a tire evaluation.

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