Willow Glen Auto Repair

It is a question we hear every year once the weather starts warming up. A driver notices the tire pressure numbers creeping higher than they were in winter and starts wondering if they should let some air out. On the surface, it seems logical. Hotter temperatures raise tire pressure, so maybe deflating the tires a little makes sense, right? Most of the time, the answer is no. You generally should not deflate your tires just because the outside temperature rises. Tire pressure changes with temperature, and those changes can show up on the dashboard or at the air pump. But the key is understanding what kind of pressure change is normal, what pressure your tires are actually supposed to be at, and when action is needed. From our perspective in the shop, this is one of those areas where a little misinformation can lead to premature tire wear, worse handling, and lower fuel economy without the driver even realizing it. The good news is that tire pressure is not hard to manage once you kno ... read more