How to prepare for low tire pressure on cold days

SALT LAKE CITY — Temperatures are dropping this weekend, and you can expect your car’s tire pressure to do the same.

Reese Carter with Big O Tires explained how it works, and why you may see a warning light turn on as a result.

“Anytime the cold weather moves in, it will always make a tire basically shrink, so it will really set off the air pressure.”

Carter said there is a way you can keep that warning light from turning on.

“You can actually increase the tire pressure above what the manufacturer recommends on the vehicle to match the manufacturer on the tire without hurting the vehicle,” he said. “The best thing to do in the winter time is run at least a couple pounds above [the manufacturer recommendation].”

There are some other ways you can start preparing your car for the colder temperatures and even the soon-to-come snow. For example, you can refill the coolant and windshield wiper fluid, switch to snow tires, and check the tire tread.

Related:

• Winter storm warnings, advisories issued; cold front to snap Utah’s record warmth
• Utah buyers asked to remain vigilant for flood-damaged cars
• No snow yet, but it may be time to start looking for winter tires