Well, it's that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the mornings are getting chilly, and tire pressure warning lights are popping up on dashboards all over Ohio like Christmas lights!

Every fall, we get the same question at Solomon's Garage: "My tire pressure light came on this morning, but my tires were fine yesterday. Do I have a leak?"

The answer? Maybe, but probably not. Mother Nature is most likely just reminding you that winter is on its way. And apparently, she likes to do it with a little orange warning light on your dashboard.

So why does cold weather affect tire pressure?

It's actually pretty simple science. When the temperature drops, the air inside your tires contracts, causing the pressure to decrease. For every 10-degree drop in outside temperature, your tires can lose approximately 1 PSI (pound per square inch) of pressure.

So, if it was 75 degrees last week and you wake up to a frosty 35-degree morning, your tires could be down about 4 PSI. Even a 2 PSI drop in pressure is enough to trigger your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) lights.

And no, your tires aren't necessarily leaking. The air is just reacting to the temperature change. Think of it like the rest of us when it gets cold outside. Everything shrinks a little!

Does a few pounds of air really matter?

Absolutely! Driving with underinflated tires can cause uneven tire wear, reduced fuel economy, poor handling, and increased heat buildup in the tires. In severe cases, it can even contribute to tire failure.

And considering that your tires are the only four things connecting your 4,000-pound vehicle to the road, I'd say they're worth paying attention to!

So, what should you do?

First, don't panic. A tire pressure light coming on during the first cold snap is extremely common.

But don't ignore it either!

Check your tire pressures when the tires are cold, preferably before you've driven more than a mile or after the vehicle has been parked for several hours.

You'll find the manufacturer's recommended tire pressures on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb. Do NOT use the pressure printed on the sidewall of the tire! That's generally the tire's maximum rated inflation pressure, not what your vehicle manufacturer recommends.

Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure, and in most cases, your warning light will go out after a little driving. Some vehicles may require a TPMS reset at a shop or through your vehicle’s computer system.

And here's something important: Don't let air out of your tires just because the pressure increases when the weather warms up later in the day. It's normal for tire pressure to rise as the tires warm up. Always make your adjustments when the tires are cold.

What if the light keeps coming back on?

Now that's when it's time to investigate. If one tire is consistently losing more pressure than the others, you could have a nail, a leaking valve stem, or a leak around the wheel rim. Here in Ohio, corrosion from road salt can also cause leaks where the tire seals against the wheel.

Also note that if your tire pressure light is flashing before staying on, that often indicates a problem with the monitoring system itself rather than simply low tire pressure.

My advice?

Get in the habit of checking your tire pressures at least once a month, especially during the fall and winter. It's one of the easiest, cheapest ways to extend the life of your tires, improve fuel economy, and keep your vehicle safe.

And if you're not comfortable checking them yourself, stop by Solomon's Garage. We'd be happy to help make sure your tires are properly inflated.

After all, air is a whole lot cheaper than a new set of tires!

Until next time, keep the shiny side up, the rubber side down, and the air INSIDE the tires!

Sincerely, Katie Neer of Solomon's Garage, located at 122 S Detroit Street in West Liberty.

Have a question for the mechanic? Send it our way. You might see it answered in next week’s “Ask the Mechanic!” Call Dave and Katie at (937) 887-0029 for questions or to schedule an appointment for your vehicle. Visit https://www.solomonsgarage.com/ for more information.