So just a quick question.

What happens / How bad is it when you have you car in a temperature controlled garage (say 70 degrees) and you take the car out when its cold (say 25 degrees)?

If the tires are 30psi when stored in the garage, what happens when you go outside? How bad is this?

Thanks guys!

 

hummm..... nothing to be concerned about, the tire pressure will drop when cold and increase when hot. its nothing you can really control nor be too concerned about,

if you maintain 30 as a general rule, your tire wear and handling is about as good as you can expect.

our tires generally increase 3-4 when fully warmed up and on a nice hot road, from original cooled down condition.

you asked what will happen, well, i'd expect tire pressure to fall 2 pounds and because the road will be cold and the tires cold and rubber harder, your handling will be more slippery

 

If you take it outside and just let it sit, it will drop 1psi per 10* temperature drop.

 

Johnodrake got it right.

Since the tire pressures will change about 1 psi for every 10'F temperature change, I compensate when setting them:

If the average daily low temp in my area for this month is 30'F, and my garage is 50'F when I go to set the tires in the morning; I'll set them 2 psi higher to account for the cooling that will happen when I take it outside.

I only make this correction once per month, and don't worry about daily variations.

 

i do better than that!!!

i stop and check my tires every 10 minutes and adjust them so they stay 30@


whatever

 

That's where my situation is the handiest - I don't have to worry about temperature difference between my carport and the ambient temperature - they're always the same.

I add air about twice when going from Sept. temps to Jan. temps. Drop press. about twice when going from March temps to June temps.

There are some advantages of no garage. I have 2 workshops instead.

 

It's NOT better . You should always check tire pressure when they're COLD . You were probably joking, but a reminder for those who don't know. Good day.

 

actually no... your wrong
not joking.
it was sarcasm.

World English Dictionary

sarcasm (ˈsɑːkæzəm)
— n
1. mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult


and in order to ensure this topic isnt being hijacked and stays on topic, i continue my reply..

question: if i my tire pressure is 30 in a 70 degree heated garage and i venture out and drive in a 30 degree day, should i be concerned?

well.............................
The tire pressure recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual or tire information placard is the vehicle's recommended cold tire inflation pressure.

Since air is a gas, it expands when heated and contracts when cooled.

The rule of thumb is for every 10° Fahrenheit change in air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher temperatures and down with lower). Also note that this is approximate and not precise.

In most parts of North America, the difference between average summer and winter temperatures is about -50° Fahrenheit...which results in a potential loss of about 5 psi as winter's temperatures set in. And a 5 psi loss is enough to sacrifice handling, traction, and durability!

Additionally, the difference between cold nighttime temperatures and hot daytime temperatures in most parts of the country is about 20° Fahrenheit. This means that after setting tire pressures first thing in the morning, the vehicle's tire pressures will be almost 2 psi higher when measured in the afternoon (if the vehicle was parked in the shade).

If the vehicle is parked in the sun, the sun's radiant heat will artificially and temporarily increase tire pressures.
A tire in the full sun at outside temp of 85 can go up 3 degrees, just sitting motionless. (note, since they are already heated up, rolling temp gain will not be affected as much)

Rolling tires will increase pressure. Air pressure of the tires will increase about 1 psi during every 5 minutes of use for the first 20 minutes of operation. Then the air pressures stabilizes, typically gaining no more than 1 psi of additional pressure during the next 20 minutes. That equates to 4 pounds in 20 minutes and possibly 1 more in the next 20 minutes. (personally i found 3 in 20 and 1 in next 20)

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So........ if your in a heated garage at 70 degrees and you venture out to a 30 degree day,

you will slowly loose 4 pounds (70 minus 30 equals 40 divided by 10 equals 4). At the same time, you will also slowly (assuming you are actually driving) increase pressure up to 3 pounds (but more likely 2 pounds). Also if you are driving on a full sunny day, you will gain about 1 pound of pressure. (since your rolling temp gain will not gain as much in the colder outside air and colder roadway and the sun will not be a bright in the winter).

answer to the question at the beginning. should i be concerned about tire pressure?
geeeesh, i dont know, maybe 1 less pounds than you had when parked in your garage????? I would increase pressure from 30 to 32 in the heated garage while the tires are cooled down. Watch the pressure on the DIC. Adjust before you venture out the next time. (i would be more concerned about very cold road, cold hard tires, causing your traction to more slippery)