Tire Pressure and Winter?

[DkknightX]

Originally Posted by Bell040

PV = nRT

Ideal gas law

+1

Not only are you handsome, but you are smart too!

[Banshee]

Air molecules slow in colder weather. Rears will drop faster than fronts. Fill all when cold to 36 PSI. Pressures will fluctuate with every increase or decrease of 10 degrees ambient temperature.

[Garrett]

Use nitrogen instead of regular air and the pressure fluxuations will be a lot less. You will also maintain your pressure longer. The nitrogen molecule is much larger and cannot leak out as fast. The tires will run cooler in the summer and last longer. In addition because your air pressure will be correct more often you will get better gas mileage. Unless you check your air and adjust everyday than you will not notice much of a savings in gas. Their are tons of benefits to using nitrogen. For example your tpms is electronic component with a battery. Air is made up of roughly 30 percent water. No electronic components I know like water. So It will also help the TPMS sensors last longer.

[flyby]

Yes, but I'm guessing the 38psi was after driving which heats the tires up some. If you are worried about pressure changes in your tires you could change to nitrogen which will help some.

[ClaymoreZ28]

Its funny how the electronic tire pressure measurement on the camaro and onstar reports makes you so much more aware of this.

I am in NC and seeing variation of about 5 or 6 psi as we can from 60-70 down to zero in a random way at this time of year.

[Banshee]

Pressures will fluctuate roughly 1.4 psi per 10 degrees of ambient temperature drop or increase.

Atmosphere is what 75% Nitrogen? How much do tire places charge for initial Nitrogen service and maintenance? For that I will buy an air compressor and digital tire pressure gauge....

Then you have the inconvenience of driving and waiting to get them filled.

[Garrett]

The average tire looses about 3-5 psi in about 5 weeks due to sidewall permiation and outside air tempurature changes. With Nitrogen it take about 5 months to loose the same amount. The nitrogen molecule is 5 times larger than oxygen. Therefore you would rarely if ever need to drive around looking to fill. The average cost of nitrogen is typically a $30.00 one time charge with all refills for life free. That wil be repayed to you exponentially through gas mileage savings and savings in wear on your tires and TPMS. In addition if you change your oil every 3 to 5 months and set your nitrogen then you will again never be searching to fill.

[Garrett]

By the way Nascar uses Nitrogen in its tires as well as most professional racing series Tour de France Bicycles, and airplanes, some Government vehicles and more due to the benefits mentioned as well as more.

[AGM76]

I use hydrogen, gives me a leg up on the competition.

[Bryan2230]

my pressures dropped from 36 to 27. I have nitrogen in my tires, so i'm thinking nitrogen is more effected by the cold.

[AGM76]

Well take a look at Nitrogen on the periodic table. Its it has one less proton than oxygen so its smaller, and will leak easier. Maybe the corrosive nature of oxygen has an effect on the rubber of the tire and valve stem. Also temperature will affect the gasses differently pressure wise, so maybe a homogeneous gas keeps a tire "in the round"? As a cynic I think its probably hype and a way to get a few extra dollars from you when you get your tires replaced. Air is already 80% Nitrogen anyway right?

[Garrett]

Benefits are not seen until 98% purity in nitrogen.

[Nicholas]

Thanks to everyone for the help...will switch to Nitrogen asap!

[dr1ven]

Is there something that I need to do in order to reset the monitor? I've inflated my tires but the message is still displayed and also the orange TPMS icon. I have yet to see my car start without having to press the button to bypass this message.

Thanks.