Tire Pressure Vs. Temperature

[merlin5577]

I have been reading up on how air temperature can effect tire pressure and decided to try my own experiment. Starting a little over a month ago I set the tire pressures of my trucks with the air temperature at 60*F. I randomly checked the tire pressures on different days with different temperatures. After checking the pressure with a digital gauge. I then reset the pressures back to the original settings. To save time I rounded the pressures to the nearest whole number. Here is what I found;

 

Silverado; Baseline Setting 80psi

 

Air temperature 40*F

Pressures; LF 76, RF 75, RR 78, LR 78

 

Air temperature 21*F

Pressures; LF 72, RF 72, RR 77, LR 77

 

Air temperature 36*F

Pressures; LF 81, RF 82, RR 84, LR 83

 

Air temperature 50*F

Pressures; LF 43**, RF 82, RR 87, LR 86

 

 

Suburban; Baseline setting 40psi

 

Air temperature 40*F

Pressures; LF 37, RF 37, RR 39, LR 39

 

Air temperature 21*F

Pressures; LF 35, RF 34, RR 38, LR 38

 

Air temperature 36*F

Pressures; LF 40, RF 42, RR 42, LR 44

 

Air temperature 50*F

Pressures; LF 42, RF 42, RR 44, LR 45

 

 

** Nail was found in tire. Had slow leak so data is corrupt.

 

Conclusion; across the board, the rear tires generally lost less pressure. This I believe is because of the weight of the engine in the front pushing down. Also note the higher pressure settings (Silverado) where generally more affected by changes in temperature.

 

I hope everyone can appreciate this. Please everyone, take a few minutes and check your tires regularly. Be safe out there.