DRIVERS have been warned to check a dashboard light before temperatures start to drop this winter.
Failure to do so could result in a very costly tire repair bill not long after.
GettyDrivers have been warned of picking up pricey repair bills this winter[/caption]
GettyA dashboard warning light that looks like this should not be ignored[/caption]
With the cold weather setting in, some drivers might start to notice that the tires on their vehicle are looking deflated or worse for wear.
Some may even notice the tire pressure warning light appearing on their car’s dashboard.
According to major tire manufacturers such as Goodyear and Firestone, tire pressures can drop by as much as 1 to 2 psi, or pounds per square inch, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in temperature.
Kens5, a news network based in San Antonio, Texas, gives the example of inflating tires in the middle of the day when it’s 75 degrees outside, before the temperature drops to 25 degrees a few days later. This could result in tire pressure dropping by as low as 5 to 10 psi.
The recommended tire pressure for cars is usually between 30 to 35 psi, according to Firestone.
Underinflated tires can be particularly dangerous at this time of year, as they reduce traction, handling, durability, fuel efficiency, and increase braking time, while overinflated tires can lead to poor handling and even blowouts.
Experts at Discount Tire stress the importance of checking tire pressure levels regularly, especially in colder months.
Most cars have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which can alert when pressure is low.
Drivers are urged to check their car’s manual or door jamb for the recommended pressure levels, while a gauge to check pressure can be found at many gas stations, which also have air pumps available, sometimes for free.
This comes as an expert recently warned drivers to check three parts of their car before the cold weather rolls in – or they risk paying thousands of dollars for repairs.
Neglecting one part of your vehicle in particular during the winter could leave you needing a $3,500 repair job.
Ron Krauch, an automotive writer who has worked on and studied cars for over 40 years, urged drivers to inspect their vehicles now – before snow or freezing temps set in.
Elsewhere, drivers have been left scrambling to meet a DMV deadline before one of its sites closes its doors for good next week.
All services associated with the site will be transferred to a new location more than 10 miles away.
Staff will shut the doors for the final time on November 25, with the reason for the closure was not given.
GettyCold weather can play havoc with tire pressure, with the falling temperature resulting in a full in pressure[/caption]
GettyDrivers should take note if their tires are beginning to look worse for wear[/caption]
https://www.the-sun.com/motors/12949207/winter-warning-dashboard-light-cold-temperatures/