Tire pressure and cold weather

[Retired Chief]

I know this has been addressed here before but I can’t seem to find it. Anyway, winters here in SE VA are usually pretty mild but this morning the temp was in the single digits. My tire pressure light is on and stayed on even after about a 45 minute drive (25 mins on the highway). I know the physics behind this and why it happens so I thought the light would go out after the tire and air heated up and expanded. But, it did not. Is it still too cold? Should I put more air in the tire? And, if I do, once it gets warm again and the added air expands will the tire pressure be too great? Thanks in advance. You guys rock!

[NSRsheets]

Had the same problem here in OH. Dealership said just put more air into it (to around 35lbs) and you'll be fine.

[spitalul2bad]

when the temperature cools, usually suddenly, you lose some of the pressure in the tires. when summer will creep in, you'll gain some pressure in the tires...

thank the weather.

[C-Kwik]

The solution is simple. Check your pressures. Add more if needed. Could be one tire that is lower than the minimum that is causing a light.

[ldstang50]

Chief, C-Kwik is right, as usualYou should be checking your pressures about once a month.In colder temps the pressures drop because the molecules in the air aren't moving as fast. Add air, to make sure you are at the correct pressure, then when it gets warmer check again to make sure you aren't too high, but I doubt you'll be much higher.

[kuhan]

^^^ what he said.... Make sure your tire pressure is around 35 psi for all four tires.

[Anthonysflying]

Doesn't the 2008 model come with a digital readout?

On a side note i found that i gained about 4-6 psi in the summer once driving. I don't have sensors in my winter set so I can't tell you if that trend is consistent. If you're still running low profile tires crank it up to at least 38 psi. Do a search for one of the TPMS threads, one of them goes into detail about what sets off the light...I remember it being much lower than 6 psi...in the dangerously low area.

[R350Zz33]

no the 08s dont i think it was only in the 03s and 04s

[xjmxstac]

no the 08s dont i think it was only in the 03s and 04s

I thought all z's had tpms in digital format.

[XterraVersa]

No, the 08's just blink a light when the TPMS is triggered. It has to do with the type of TPMS sensor that is now required. The ones that could give you tire pressure didn't meet NHTSA standards for accuracy.

[xjmxstac]

funny, coz mine seems accurate +/- 1 psi.