Tire Pressure Alert in Williston, ND and The Bakken

Tire Pressure alert in The Bakken- 1 to 2 psi per 10 degrees

To every driver in Williston, North Dakota and other nearby places: Keep an eye on the vehicle's tire pressure as the temperature begins to drop outside.

Studies show that a typical inflated tire will lose some air pressure as ambient air temperature drops. Specifically, for every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature, tire pressure will decrease 1 to 2 pounds per square inch. Typically, regular sedan's and light vehicle's tire pressures will change only by 1 psi per 10 degrees F, whereas a truck's (heavy-duty pickup to tractor-trailer size) will change closer to 2 psi per 10 degrees F. 

A quick example goes as follows:

It is 40 degrees (F) outside. A vehicle's tire pressure is 35 psi.

The temperature drops to 10 degrees (F), which is a 30-degree decrease in temperature.

Simply, we note the first digit of the temp decrease, the "3" in 30, and we multiple that by 2 psi. Now we see that the tire loses 6 psi due to the 30-degree drop in temperature. The tire's psi will then be approximately 29 psi. Click here--Tire Pressure Changes Due to Temperature--and scroll down to explore more data. 

Suggestion: Ignore TPMS sometimes and manually check

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) ruled that on September 1, 2005 all light vehicles manufactured in the U.S. were to come standard with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This system is designed to alert a driver of a decrease in tire pressure in one or more tires. However, owners of year 2006 model cars or newer should not solely depend on this system as their tire pressure monitor. In other words, handheld tire gauges are cheap and handy when it comes to physically inspecting a tire's pressure. 

Just as airline and fighter pilots do pre-flight inspections of their own prior to ascending into the sky, responsible drivers help maximize their (and their passenger's) safety by regularly checking their vehicle's fluids and their tire's quality and pressure. 

Save money by maintaining optimum PSI

Many people do not realize that a tire's pressure can determine its lifespan. A tire that is not properly pressurized will not wear properly. Uneven tire wear is oftentimes a result of over and under inflation, and also misalignment. 

According to Goodyear tire company, "Tires should be inflated when cool to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle's owner's manual, NOT the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall."

In the event that a motorist does not have an owner's manual or sticker inside the door which indicates optimum tire pressure, one can probably find the proper pressure via a simple Google search or a call to the local dealer.

Goodyear furthermore recommends checking one's tire pressure and tire tread every month, and before taking a road trip.