Dec 23, 2019

We’re settling into the winter months, where colder temperatures affect not only our fingers and toes but our vehicles. One of the weirder things about winter weather is that it does a number on tires, specifically tire pressure. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA offers these helpful tips for keeping your tires humming along in the colder months.

When your car tire pressure light comes on, the first thing to check is that you haven’t accidentally run over a nail or other sharp object that might be a culprit. Once that’s done, realize that the outside cold temperatures affect the air inside the tires. It’s called “lower air density,” not that you need to be a scientist to sort it out: your tires lose pressure as a result.

Your tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will let you know when the “feet” of your vehicle needs a closer look. Older or more worn tires will tend to lose pressure more quickly than newer tires. It’s a good habit to get into to check the tread and wear on your tires, not just for pressure issues, but overall safety. Have a look at your tires on a regular basis, because cold weather will cause older tires to lose pressure more quickly – and that can be dangerous. Helpful note: if your tires are showing more wear, you might want to consider replacing them. The experts at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA can swap them out and have you back on the road in no time.

One key tool every car owner should have handy is a tire pressure gauge. Give your tires a regular check (and reference the appropriate pressure either in your owner’s manual or on the tire sidewall.) Cold weather driving serves up tricky conditions, between wet or icy roads making properly inflated tires that much more critical.

Got questions? Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA is happy to walk you through the smart safety steps for your tires – and everything else. Your winter driving will be much more secure!