LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Turning on your car over the last few days you might have noticed your tire pressure light come on or a message telling you to check the pressure.
“During these cold winter days, those tire pressure lights will come on,’ Coleman and Son Automotive owner Dee Coleman said.
Although we haven't reached really low temperatures, the cold we've seen this week can still have an impact on your tires.
"They're a couple of pounds low during this type of temperature change,” Coleman said.
Coleman said people have already been making their way to his Little Rock shop asking questions.
“We've had at least four this morning come by and top off their tires during this type of weather,” Coleman said.
It was the same situation over at Sherwood Tire Pros.
“10 degrees, the temperature drops, we're going to lose about a pound of air in the tires," Sherwood Tire Pros owner Kevin Edens said.
Edens said that while it’s normal for that light to come on, it doesn't mean cold weather is the sole reason.
“If they're all about the same pressure, most likely it's temperature change,” Edens said. “If you have one that is drastically different pressure than the other ones... five or six pounds lower than the other tires [it's most likely] a leak."
This is why Edens said it’s important to keep a close eye, especially before we reach peak winter weather.
“Tread depth is very important along with pressures," Edens said. "Some of the older cars don't have the tire pressure sensors in them."
If by chance you end up needing a new tire, unfortunately, Eden said prices have increased.
“I don't see them coming back down with the cost of steel going up, cost of the natural rubber and stuff going up,” Edens said. “Even transporting, getting the tires from the East Coast or the West Coast, there are distribution issues.”
Overall, both experts said to be cautious and mindful as the seasons change.
Additionally, Edens and Coleman said it's important not to overfill your tires with air and to double-check your car's internal computer for exact pressure levels.