Your tire pressure will drop this week, AAA explains

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A cold front arrives this weekend, bringing cooler than normal temperatures to Central Texas. Near-freezing temperatures are possible Monday and Tuesday morning. The sudden drop in cold air can affect your vehicle’s tire pressure.

Meteorologist Tommy House sat down with Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas to learn more.

Read an edited version of the conversation below.

Meteorologist Tommy House: How do (cold temperatures) correlate to your tire pressure?

Daniel Armbruster: Healthy tires are essential for safe driving. With strong cold fronts, you can see a general drop in tire pressure. We see 1-2 pounds per square inch of pressure lost for every 10° drop in temperature. If you see a significant drop in temperature, it can result in up to 3-6 pounds per square inch.

House: What about the light that you see on your dashboard when temperatures drop?

Armbruster: It’s a good indicator. We caution drivers don’t go entirely off the digital pressure readings. AAA recommends drivers use an old-fashioned tire gauge. If you see that warning, have a trusted mechanic look into it.