Rule
Cold lowers your tyre pressure
Tire pressure drops by about 0.1 bar per 10 °C temperature drop. From +20 °C summer to −10 °C winter means about 0.3 bar lower, enough to trigger the TPMS warning light.
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Lesson4 min
Tire pressure drops in cold: TPMS alarms and correct psi
Why the car warns about low pressure when it's just cold — and when to actually worry.
You will learn, among other things:
Checklist
When the TPMS light comes on
- Tire pressure drops about 0.1 bar per 10°C temperature decrease
- TPMS warns of low pressure — always verify with a gauge, don't rely only on the light
- Check tire pressure regularly during winter, at least once a month
- Measure pressure when tires are cold, not right after driving
- Always inflate to the pressure specified in the car's manual, not on the tire
- Low tire pressure increases fuel consumption and reduces grip and handling
Heads up
Too low and too high both cost you
Too low: worse grip, more tire wear on outer edges, higher fuel use, risk of heat build-up that bursts the tire. Too high: worse comfort, wear on centre tread, worse grip on snow.
Tip
Check every four weeks in winter
Check pressure every 4 weeks during winter. Slow leaks + cold pressure drop mean air disappears faster than in summer.