Tire Pressue Cold Weather Northeast

[BlackRam4]

Hey everyone-
Fairly new Ram owner here, purchased 10-10-13, 2013 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 5.7 4x4 Crew Cab in Black. Last Friday the temperature dropped to the single digits here in the Northeast. It has stayed low or lower up until this afternoon tomorrow when it should go up to the 40s/50s. My low tire pressue light came on Last Fri. I have stock 17s on my truck. The PSI listed on the warning hangs around 33-36, it says to inflate to 40? Should I? Dont understand how it all works, or will they just go back up when its warmer?
Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Etroze86]

They will go back up maybe a lb or two but best bet would be to fill them to 38 or 39 unless you like to run a little higher pressures then I'd put them up to 40lbs and let it buck.

 

[BlackRam4]

Thank you
I will put some air in them, ha nope, dont want them to buck (whats that mean), i was nervous that i would over inclate, so if i put up to 38ish i will be cool

 

[audio1der]

Just air them up enough that they reach the inflation threshold to get the light off after the tires warm up from some driving, and you should be fine.

 

[chrisb38002]

Check the label on the inside of the driver door, it will tell you what the tire pressure should be COLD. From the 13 OM "The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door."

 

[homeguy]

My wife's TPM sensors are going off consistently when the temp drops. When it's time to get new tires I'll be taking them out. I think they are great for someone that never checks their tire pressure.

 

[Etroze86]

You will have a light on your dash till they get put back in. Let them buck is just and expression. You won't hurt anything with those tires being over 40psi and they will actually wear a little better too.

 

[chrisb38002]

I would not over inflate tires. Use the recommended pressure for your vehicle weight which is printed on the information placard on the door.
Here is quote from the NTSB: "a tire that is over inflated shows more wear along the center width of the tire than along its edges. When your tires develop uneven tread wear, it shortens the overall life expectancy of your tire. An overinflated tire is stiff and unyielding and the size of its footprint in contact with the road is reduced."

Just sayin. Your truck, your choice.

 

[Etroze86]

I should say don't go go much over 40lbs, id say 45 would be max for me but these trucks weigh enough and stock rubber is just junk that shoulders of tires wear pretty quickly. I've been changing tires for many many years that is the only reason I would suggest it.

 

[NYCruiser]

Mine are all reading about 38 with no errors right now.

 

[Heywood]

Go nitrogen and your pressures won't fluctuate. Maybe a lb or 2 at the most.

Ask me how I know....lol

 

[65Bowtie]

My pressure is about 40 in the summer and I don't add air when it gets cold. At -25F ambient they read 32psi and no TPMS light gets triggered. Mine are the stock 20" though so I have a bit less air volume in mine than you do.

 

[BlackRam4]

Update-
Thanks for all the responses, this is good info.

I inflated all 3 on Friday to 38 PSI (recommended is 40 PSI).
It warmed up over the weekend, as well as from driving and they went up to 39 from mid 30s. This morning, on my way to work, the left driver side rear still said 37-38, the back passenger rear went up to 40, the driver's side front also went up to 40, but the passenger side front went up to 41!?!?

i did hear mixed responses about going over the recommended, since it says 41, am i ok? should i take air out? noob here, thank huys

 

[NYCruiser]

Mine say 41 sometimes when they warm up. Never an issue. Tires have always behaved this way, just now with the readout they are able to make you nuts. LOL

 

[BlackRam4]

Mine say 41 sometimes when they warm up. Never an issue. Tires have always behaved this way, just now with the readout they are able to make you nuts. LOL

Thank you, mine actually said 38-30 this morning and then by the time I got to work (City Driving), that one said 41

 

[iam_canadian22]

Go nitrogen and your pressures won't fluctuate. Maybe a lb or 2 at the most.

Ask me how I know....lol

funny story, all my tires had nitrogen, got a flat with one, picked up a screw with it, got it fixed and put air in, couple weeks later got real cold, only 3 tire lights came on and it was the 3 with nitrogen

 

[iam_canadian22]

My pressure is about 40 in the summer and I don't add air when it gets cold. At -25F ambient they read 32psi and no TPMS light gets triggered. Mine are the stock 20" though so I have a bit less air volume in mine than you do.

they get triggered at 29, shut off at 39, on my 13 with 20's anyways, I run anywhere from 32-35 in the winter, 39-40 in the summer

 

[Talon_66]

PV/T = a Constant

P - Pressure
V - Volume
T - Temperature in Kelvins

As Temperatures drop, the volume of air in the tire and pressure will change

If it is a cold morning, and your tire pressure goes off. Then you should drive around a bit first before adding air, let the temperature increase.
You will notice your pressure will increase, if it is still low, then fill it up

EDIT: The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen... Filling tires with 100% Nitrogen is mute

 

[smiley]

Nitrogen is large advantage where it gets cold because yes normal air is a lot of nitrogen but it also has moisture where nitrogen is dryer and 4 times the size of oxygen so if you have 21% oxygen then you have more room for fluctuation and also more chance of rotting the tire and sensors from the inside due to moisture. The logic of it is not better is used by those have not looked in to why it is better or simply don't have the machine so they down talk the competition that does.
Nitrogen filled tires will not fluctuate nearly as much plain and simple.


$miley

 

[Heywood]

Nitrogen is large advantage where it gets cold because yes normal air is a lot of nitrogen but it also has moisture where nitrogen is dryer and 4 times the size of oxygen so if you have 21% oxygen then you have more room for fluctuation and also more chance of rotting the tire and sensors from the inside due to moisture. The logic of it is not better is used by those have not looked in to why it is better or simply don't have the machine so they down talk the competition that does.
Nitrogen filled tires will not fluctuate nearly as much plain and simple.


$miley

Pretty much what he said....lol