Cold Tire Pressures when it is really cold - 10 Deg F

[seb1899]

I have never left from NC to go to Florida when it has been this cold -forecast tomorrow AM is 10 deg F.

I always check my cold pressures before venturing on the Intersate and run my fronts @ 75psi and the rear duals @ 80psi - it is a Tioga Montara on an E450 chassis.

The vehicle has been sitting in the storage yard since summer and now it is in my driveway ready to head out after checking the tire pressures. I will probably have to add some pressure so does the 10 deg F outside affect this?

[Podivin]

Nope, your cold tire pressure remains the same.
DON'T drive on underinflated tires.
If you have an overnight stop, check the pressure again in the morning before you leave and let some air out if you need to - my guess is that you won't need to.
It's not THAT warm here in Florida, at least not enough to cause a problem with your tire pressure.

[bfisher003]

Sub-freezing temps for the past couple of nights here in Palm Coast, FL.

[Clay L]

Cold outside temps will definitely decrease the pressure in your tires. It doesn't exactly behave according to the ideal gas law because of moisture content in the air in the tires but it does decease significantly. The good news is that after only a few miles at highway speeds (maybe two or three) the pressure will come up.

[SkiSmuggs]

Actually cold temperatures can have a dramatic effect on tire pressures. I have seen TPMS alarms go off on tires that were on the money at 60 degrees, but too low at 0 degrees. Inflate to within 5 lbs of the recommended pressure if very cold, but heading toward warmer weather. If heading from warm to cold, then check pressures regularly, but be aware that driving heats the tires. It is best to check each morning prior to hitting the road.

[Gary RVRoamer]

There may be some confusion about this question:

The vehicle has been sitting in the storage yard since summer and now it is in my driveway ready to head out after checking the tire pressures. I will probably have to add some pressure so does the 10 deg F outside affect this?

The 10 F greatly affects the pressure currently inside the tire - the loss (or gain) of pressure is approximately 2% for every 10 degrees difference from when it was originally set. What does NOT change is the desired psi - the 75 (front) and 80 psi (rear) in seb1899's case. Regardless of the outside temperature, set the psi to the target "cold" pressure before driving. "Cold" means the tires have not been heated up by driving on them and that number is never adjusted for the outdoor (ambient) temperature.