# Cold Tire PSI during summer **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 7, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868 "2019-07-07T22:47:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/21 "2019-07-11T19:24:18Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > anal about something as simple as tire pressure? > > Check the tire pressure in the morning when the tires are cold, and add air if necessary. > > Then check the tire pressure again when you refill the gas tank. Hmmm… sounds ‘anal’ to me. I check monthly or whenever I drive, whichever happens first. > [@CapriRacer](#): > > Lowering inflation pressure increases dry traction. So I said. I don’t think many people on the road drive at the inflation that yields maximum traction. > [@CapriRacer](#): > > what about the max pressure listed on the sidewall? There are circumstances where it is better to use a higher pressure than what is listed on the vehicle tire placard. Like when exceeding 100 mph. I thought about adding air when I was over 100 mph: it seemed too dangerous. I’d think you’d want more traction at a higher speed; then again too much traction slows you down. I don’t see the answer in your response: what does the maximum pressure printed on the tire mean? I’m pretty sure I’ve heard _I fratelli Magliozzi_ make my argument on the show. ---
**Author:** ![anon86613489](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@anon86613489](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anon86613489)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/22 "2019-07-11T19:29:38Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > what does the maximum pressure printed on the tire mean That means: If you exceed this figure imprinted on my side, I might blow up in your face while you do it or right in front of that darned freightliner 6 feet behind me. Can it really be that difficult to understand? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/23 "2019-07-11T19:49:47Z")
The last time I used the max pressure on the tires was, when I hauled 1,000 lb mid-rise car lift in the back of my Nissan pickup. At the placard pressure the tires looked almost flat from the weight. You also need to remember, the tires on your vehicle aren’t just for your vehicle. Their application can be used on many different vehicles. And different vehicles have different tire pressure requirements. And that’s reflected by the vehicle manufacturer on the placard. > [@RandomTroll](#): > > or whenever I drive, whichever happens first Now that’s anal! Tester ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 12:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/24 "2019-07-12T12:03:08Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > what does the maximum pressure printed on the tire mean? It means that is the maximum cold usage pressure. Don’t inflate to more than that value. And as far as using more inflation pressure for high speed operation. That’s to get the tire to survive the experience. Higher speeds generate more heat and heat will destroy a tire. Higher inflation pressures mitigate against that. Traction becomes a secondary consideration. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 12:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/25 "2019-07-12T12:13:18Z")
> [@anon86613489](#): > > If you exceed this figure imprinted on my side, I might blow up in your face I hope it’s a lot less than that. A friend told me the story of gallantly helping the cute girl at the gas station filling her tire. He explained the dangers of over-filling then illustrated them by exploding her tire. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868/26 "2019-07-12T13:54:25Z")
A tire can blow up because it’s over-inflated, or it can blow up because it’s dry rotted or it has a manufacturing defect. It’s actually easy to over-inflate a tire. I did it once because I inflated my motorcycle tires while the bike was strapped down on a trailer, something I should have thought about at the time. I meant to check the pressure before I strapped it down, but I forgot, and it didn’t occur to me the pressure of the straps would change the reading on the tire gauge. Another (probably more common) way to over-inflate a tire is to use a faulty tire gauge that registers less pressure than is really there. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cold-tire-psi-during-summer/143868.md?page=1)