Cold weather people(winter means < 30F). What do you guys keep your tires infalted at in the winter time? My TPMS keeps complaining that my tires are too low due to the cold weather.

Thanks!

 

i set mine yesterday to 34 lbs at 40 degrees outside, i could probably add 2 to 3, when driving they rose to average 36 / 37 lbs

 

You have to re-set your tire pressure every season... it should be done first thing in the morning... so that your tires are COLD... then you set and forget it.... 'til next season anyway...

 

If your TPMS is alerting you to low pressure, then they are set too low. For an '07 TL-S, you should have them set at 35F, 32rear.
Since we are now into winter weather, mine are set for 36F, 33R at 40 degree ambient (in the garage).
One of the best investments you can make is to buy a good tire gauge with brass fittings. Pencil gauges are not usually accurate.

 

I'd have to disagree with you Rodney. Your tires lose 2 lbs/month average, unless you are using nitrogen. Three months means you're 6 lbs. low, which is enough to set off the TPMS....and for good reason. I suggest checking once a month, at least.

 

I guess I stand corrected... to you S PAW 1 ... you are the man...

 

i'm at 37 in front and 32 in the rear, at 50F. I leave it there because my tires heat up quick

 

I fill the tires until the TP monitor on the car reads out the numbers I want. I figure the car gauge is accurate. Am I wrong?

 

My monitor reads 1-2 lbs. low. Others on this forum have doubted the accuracy. I would still trust my gauge. There was a thread a few months ago where someone thought his TL-S was supposed to be set at 32 psi front and rear. So what are the numbers you "want"? If you don't set them where they are supposed to be, you will get the alert.
Spend the $10-$12 on the gauge. As I said, it's a good investment.

 

I want what the door says: 33/32 for my TL. But I'll buy the gauge to be sure and also to check my TSX which doesn't have a TPMS.

 

A quality tire gauge, in digital or analog should be used at least monthly on every car.

You will lose 1# of air from a 10* temperature drop. So, in the fall/winter time you can expect to need to add air. Also, as was said Nitrogen use will eliminate this problem.

 

If you set them to those readings, then you shouldn't have a problem with the TPMS....for a TL.
I really was asking the OP, since he has a TL-S, which has different settings.

 

Where are you getting the air to fill your tires? When I used to use air from the gas station, I got the TPMS alerting me all the time in the cold.

I've since bought my own air compressor, and installed an inline-line-dryer, to remove moisture. (Got the filter for like $10)

Anyways, that problem with the TPMS went away. Granted I check the air regularly, but I usually don't need to add any air, except maybe once every month or something.

The more moisture content you have in the air, the more it expands/contracts with temperature. (Water vapor expands/contracts MUCH more than regular air)

 

Good idea. I use a portable compressor, but no filter. That way I can check pressures in my garage after they have set overnight.
Anyway, the OP hasn't responded or made any comments, so we can assume problem solved

 

I'm back. I haven't gotten a chance to fill them up cold yet.

My plan is to fill them up first thing in the morning when it's COLD out (<30), to what the door says. Is there any reason to go higher?

What pressure gauge do you guys recommend? I don't have any high quality ones.

Thanks guys!

 

My wife will tell you I am SOOOO anal about tires/ pressure/ and rotation. But, it keeps her safe, so she'll over look it
I actually see what the average daily high temp. will be for the next 5 days, and set my pressures accordingly. Say it's going to be an average of 40 degrees this week. My recommended pressures are 35F/32R. If my garage temp. is 50 degrees, I set them at 36/33. I have a digital thermometer hanging in the garage for reference. 10 degree ambient change = 1Lb air loss or gain
As for gauge, most digitals only read in 1/2 lb increments, which isn't accurate enough for my tastes. I use an ACCU-GAGE with brass fittings. The gauge should also be left indoors at room temp., to minimize the colder temps in the garage from affecting the readings and internal movement within the gauge.
Anal? Maybe. But I have NEVER gotten less than 50K on a set of tires. My wife's Celica has 70K on her Michelin Pilot Exaltos, and STILL have plenty of tread left. I may replace them just for extra security for this winter, but they don't need it.
I give out many Christmas presents every winter. I buy at least a dozen pencil gauges, and give them to people I run into that have grossly underinflated tires. You know, the ones you can look at and see they are low? Especially the SUV's!
I checked one lady's the other day (with her permission, of course), and it had 8 Lbs of air in one tire!
Who knows? I may save a life... and that would just make my day

 

Just put air in the tires, even if your tires are warm, up to 38 psi or so F (35R) as measured by the TPMS.
Then check and adjust the pressure the next morning when cold- hopefully you will just need to release a couple of lbs of air. Use the TPMS readings.

By the way, if you are OK w/the car's ride at a higher psi than recommended, just leave it-- a couple of extra lbs. per tire helps MPG, handling and steering feel.

I have a couple of gauges from a long time ago; you may want to get a round gauge which is has a guarantee to measure w/i a half-pound. From what I've heard here on AZ, the TPMS will be dead-on, and within a couple of lbs. at worst.

 

It is perfectly normal for your tires to increase 3-4 lbs after a few miles. DO NOT reduce pressures to compensate. Your air is merely heating up and expanding, thus increasing their pressures. Perfectly normal.

 

This is BS. Mine runs fine for 6 months, reset in December and June.

 

And this is ignorance.

 

Why? Tire pressure monitor has no complains, car runs and handles fine? Why worry?

 

There are certain laws of physics. Your tires WILL lose 1-2 lbs. per month just through minute losses around the rim. If you set your tires at the recommended setting of say, 35F/32R in June. By December your tires will read at least as low as 29F/26R, and more likely less than that due to cooler ambient temperatures. If your TPMS didn't alert you by that point, then you overinflated to begin with to compensate. At varying points on either side of the equation, you were running unsafe pressures.
I am not talking rocket science here. Pull up any major tire manufacturers website, and they will tell you the same thing.

 

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