The pneumatic tires of the modern car are an invention, the uniqueness of which has not yet been surpassed in the last 170 years. The design options are changing, but the principle of air injection under pressure into the elastic dense shell of the wheel rim remains unchanged.
The Importance of Correct Tire Pressure
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The air inflated into the tires affects several factors in the movement of the vehicle:
These points ensure the safety of the vehicle, driver and passengers. A lot of troubles on the roads are due to the negligent attitude of car owners to the technical condition of the tires of their car. Incorrect tire pressure, in addition to violations of these aspects, leads to premature wear of the working surfaces of the tires.
These changes have an impact on tire performance and overall road safety.
Pressure ratings
The specifications set by the tire manufacturers are calculated empirically for maximum efficiency. They show that at the specified pressure, the tires meet all the safety, comfort and integrity requirements of the vehicle. 
The pressure criteria specified by the vehicle manufacturers are based on the use of the vehicle at minimum load in normal atmospheric conditions. These recommendations are indicated in the instruction manual and are specific to the model and brand.
Pressure ratings depend on the following reasons:
- wheel size - R13,…, R15;
- location of wheels - front or rear axles;
- type of car suspension - front or rear wheel drive;
- workload - standard or maximum.
Features of tire inflation in winter
Seasonal changes in vehicle operating conditions also affect vehicle tire regulations. Affected by the temperature effect, when the pressure is automatically reduced in cold weather. The condition of the road surface and driving style must also be taken into account.
Let's note the main features of how to regulate tire pressure in winter:
- when pumping up indoors, you need to add 0.1-0.2 atm, since the pressure on the street will drop;
- for short-term movement on an icy section of the road, the pressure is reduced by 0.3-0.5 atm to increase the contact area of the tire with the road surface;
- when the car is heavily loaded, the tire pressure should not be reduced, because the contact patch increases under the influence of the weight of the load;
- riding on flat tires in other cases is dangerous by spontaneous displacement of the tire from the rim;
- in large settlements where roads are treated with special reagents, pressure indicators do not change depending on the season;
- it is necessary to check the tire pressure at least once a week, and in case of sudden temperature changes - more often.
Consequences of changing tire pressure in winter
There are a number of myths about improving the performance of a car if we move away from the factory tire pressure indicators.
Some motorists lower their tire pressure in winter, believing that flat tires will provide a more comfortable ride. Consider the consequences of such an underestimation:
- the tire dampens the unevenness of the road worse, as a result the discs may be damaged;
- rubber wear increases, uneven wear of the tread occurs;
- the length of the braking distance increases, the controllability of the car worsens;
- as a result of invisible damage to the discs, an uncontrolled decrease in pressure occurs, which leads to catastrophic consequences.
Supporters of increased parameters believe that such manipulations improve the vehicle's cross-country ability in winter and save fuel. But there are also negative aspects of such an experiment:
- unevenness of the road surface is felt much more strongly;
- reducing the contact patch does not allow the protector to work fully;
- the directional stability of the car is seriously deteriorating;
- uneven rubber wear leads to its premature failure.
Deviations from optimal performance give a misconception about the performance of the rubber. The manufacturer knowingly indicates how much pressure should be. It is at the nominal figures that the performance of the declared quality parameters and performance properties is guaranteed.
Pressure characteristics versus wheel size
Naturally, different tire sizes will have different pressures. Domestic classic cars with R13 size have the lowest rates. Modern Russian models and foreign cars move on R15 wheels, in which the nominal value exceeds 2 atm. These parameters do not change either in winter or in summer, except in extreme cases when the pumping level is changed to drive along a problematic section of the road. More accurate figures, what pressure should be, is shown in the summary table:
| Wheel size | Car make and model | Front wheel pressure, atm | Rear wheel pressure, atm |
| 155/80 / R13, 165/80 / R13, 175/70 / R13, 185/60 / R13 | VAZ 2101-2107 | 1,6-1,7 | 1,9-2,1 |
| 155/80 / R13, 165/70 / R13, 175/70 / R13, 185/60 / R13 | VAZ 2108-2115 | 1,9 | 1,9 |
| 175/65 / R14, 175/70 / R14, 185/60 / R14, 185/70 / R14 | Kalina, Priora, Granta, Renault Logan | 2,0-2,2 | 2,0-2,2 |
| 185/60 / R15, 185/65 / R15, 195/50 / R15 ... 195/70 / R15, 205/65 / R15, 225/79 / R15, | Vesta, Largus, Ford Focus, Nissan Almera, Toyota Avensis, Corolla, Mercedes S-class, BMW 1-3 series, Audi A4-A7 | 2,3-2,8 | 2,3-2,8 |
When the vehicle is fully loaded, the pressure should be increased to maximum values. More specific manufacturer recommendations are indicated on the plates on the B-pillar on the driver's side of the door. When installing wheels of non-standard sizes on a car, it is necessary to correct the pumping according to the indicators of the new rubber. The table below will help you determine how much pressure to set in your tires.
Tire pressure monitoring
Regular checks of actual pressure are essential to ensure proper handling, ride comfort and tire durability. Everyday visual inspection will prevent a run-flat ride, which will be the last for rubber.
Instrument control is carried out monthly and before long trips in order to protect yourself from troubles on the highway. Check the technical condition of your car not only in winter but also in summer.
Modern foreign cars are equipped with automatic pressure control systems with displaying indicators on the on-board computer display. Older foreign models signal a decrease in this parameter with a special lamp on the instrument panel. Domestic car manufacturers have entrusted the responsibility of checking tires in the hands of drivers.
Professionals must have a pressure gauge in the car - a special device for measuring pressure. The pump level control can be checked at tire shops and at many petrol stations. There are also air compressors to normalize the tire pressure.
Be sure to check all the wheels of the car, not just problematic ones. Particular attention should be paid to checking the tire pressure in winter.
High speed and traffic congestion oblige a modern motorist to be a competent and conscientious driver. Especially when driving in winter, when confidence in the technical performance of expensive foreign cars gives an imaginary guarantee of safe movement. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of the manufacturers in terms of the technical condition of your car.
The comfort and safety while driving a car is influenced by various factors: the quality of the road surface, the technical condition of the car and tire pressure, as well as the driver's ability to quickly react to changes in the environment. Tires are the element that directly interacts with the asphalt, therefore, safety largely depends on the pressure in them and their condition.
Our article will be devoted to the questions of what pressure should be in the tires.
When choosing tires, you need to pay attention to the following:
- their size - the tire is put on a disc of a certain size and if the parameters do not match, this can lead to rapid wear and loss of vehicle control;
- tread pattern - depending on the season, they choose summer or winter, and you also need to take into account where you mainly drive - city, rough terrain, dirt roads, highways;
- its characteristics - maximum load and pressure in tires, speed and weight indices, type of rubber - radial or diagonal;
- manufacturer - for example, everyone knows that Nokian, Bridgestone or Dunlop will last longer than the same Nizhnekamsk or Altai tire (although recently the quality of domestic products has improved markedly, an example is Kama-Euro).
The service life of the wheels will depend not only on the brand and their correct operation. The most important thing is to maintain the correct tire pressure.
Before putting the tire on the disk, you need to check some parameters:
- Recommended pressure for this car - a sticker with this information is usually glued on the back of the gas tank flap, glove compartment lid, on the center pillar or on the driver's door;
- Max Pressure - there is an indicator with this information on the sidewalls of the tires.
Therefore, the recommended pressure should not exceed the maximum. That is, if you pump more air with the compressor than is needed, then a high pressure will be created inside the tire, which ultimately can lead to serious consequences - up to and including rupture of the tire. And if this happens at speed, then it is not difficult to guess that your safety and the safety of the vehicle will be seriously affected.
The manufacturer's recommended pressure is usually indicated in technical atmospheres and can range from 1.4 to 3.3 atmospheres. For passenger cars of domestic and foreign production, the indicators in the tire are usually two atmospheres, there may also be indicators - 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and so on.
Most motorists adhere to exactly these requirements.
However, it must be said right away that such parameters are calculated for some optimal conditions, for example, high-quality German autobahns. We in Russia know very well that local transport routes are often far from such standards. In addition, the values indicated on the tank lid are calculated for an average load - that is, you carry only a few passengers and do not overload the car with various building materials and weights.
Based on all of the above, we come to the conclusion that the optimal pressure is the one recommended by the manufacturer, adhere to these requirements and there will be no special problems with either the rubber or the chassis.
It is also recommended to regularly measure this indicator. In the warm season, this can be done once a month - at any gas station there is a pressure gauge and a compressor for measuring and pumping up. In winter, measure at least 2 times.
Pressure values table for domestic cars
For all brands of the domestic auto industry, the tire pressure, depending on the driving conditions, with or without load, should be the same.
| Car tire size | Tire pressure (kgf / cm 2) | |
| Front | Rear | |
| VAZ-2104 | ||
| R13-165 / 80 | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
| VAZ-2105 | ||
| R13-165 / 80 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| VAZ-2106 | ||
| R13-165 / 70 | 1.8 | 2.1 |
| R13-165 / 80 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| VAZ-2107 | ||
| R13-165 / 80 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| VAZ-2108/09/099 | ||
| R13-165 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R13-155 / 80 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| VAZ-2114/15 | ||
| R13-165 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| VAZ-2110/11/12 | ||
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R14-175 / 65 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| R14-185 / 60 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Kalina 11183/93 | ||
| R14-175 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R14-185 / 60 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Priora 2170/71 | ||
| R13-175 / 70 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| R14-175 / 65 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| R14-185 / 60 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Niva 2121/213/214 | ||
| R16-175 / 80 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
For foreign cars (Europeans, Americans, Japanese, etc.), the table of pressure values is presented in pdf format -.
Difficulties in measuring tire pressure
It would seem that everything is simple, but there are a number of problems:
- the tire heats up during movement, respectively, the air expands, the pressure increases;
- there are practically no ideal road conditions in any country;
- different units of measurement - technical atmospheres, bars, kilopascals.
The manufacturer indicates the pressure for the so-called "cold" tire, but if you have driven a hundred kilometers per day and stopped at a gas station, then the measurement result may differ significantly. Therefore, it is best to purchase your own pressure gauge for measurements and do it, for example, in the morning.
In poor road conditions - constant pits and ditches - it is recommended to lower the tires a little:
- by 5-10% in the summer;
- by 10-15% in winter.
On the one hand, this is the right decision, since the suspension will not suffer, on the other hand, the rubber wears out faster - choose the least of two evils.
Different units of measurement are another problem. Usually either atmospheres or bars are used. 1 BAR = 0.98 atmospheres. If we are talking about kilopascals, then one ATM is approximately 101.3 kilopascals.
About pressure values in winter and summer
We wrote above that lowering is allowed in winter and summer, but not more than 15%.
In winter, reduce the pressure in the tire in the following cases:
- to increase the contact patch - the flat tire adheres more tightly to the road;
- to improve traction on a snowy road.
It is worth noting that in winter, at subzero temperatures, the air in the tire also cools during long periods of inactivity, so a heated garage, where the temperature is above zero, is an ideal place to check the pressure and pump up.
In summer, the tires are flattened only if they go off-road or the quality of the roads leaves much to be desired. The explanation is simple - the tire becomes softer at lower pressure, so in the summer various shocks and shocks are not so strongly transmitted to the suspension elements. In addition, on difficult off-road conditions, flat wheels behave like tank tracks - the contact patch increases, and traction is improved.
Nevertheless, riding on not fully inflated, as well as on inflated, tires is fraught with certain dangers.
What is the risk of incorrect tire pressure?
A tire inflated according to all the rules is the key to excellent handling, moderate fuel consumption and maneuverability.
If the pressure is too low in the tire, then the following incidents may occur:
- an increased contact patch will lead to an increase in rolling resistance - the wheel will not have a shape as close as possible to a circle, but to an oval, respectively, more fuel is consumed, and in place with it, engine oil;
- flatter wheels wear out faster;
- the angle of inclination of the wheel changes, the car becomes less stable when cornering;
- there will be hernias on the court - irregularities are blown out, which can literally burst when hitting obstacles;
- lengthening the stopping distance.
Pumping won't do anything good either:
- a significant deterioration in comfort, the rigidity of the rubber increases;
- silent blocks, shock absorbers, springs, ball joints, levers fail faster, body deformations are possible;
- uneven wear of the tread;
- the braking distance increases.
There are certain positives with increased tire pressure: because the grip surface is reduced, the car obeys the steering better and feels more confident when cornering.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why tires are always inflated more than required on Formula 1 cars.
Tire nitrogen pros and cons
One of the "tricks" in recent years has become the pumping of wheels with nitrogen.
Many people laugh - in the air around us, there is already 75% of this gas. If you deal with the issue in more detail, using knowledge from chemistry and physics, then the only advantage of using it in tires is that it does not seep out of the wheel so quickly and the pressure remains stable for a long time. In all other respects, the difference is so minimal that no special changes will be felt.
Here are the main myths about nitrogen:
- this gas is much lighter - yes, indeed, it is lighter than air, but the difference per tire will be only 6-10 grams. Will this "improvement" greatly affect the dynamic performance? - the answer is obvious;
- not so susceptible to low and high temperatures - any gas and in general any substance shrinks when cold, and expands when hot;
- nitrogen does not burn and does not explode - it is difficult to imagine a situation when the air in the tire burns, the rubber itself burns, regardless of what it is inflated with;
- less aggressive and non-corrosive - there is nothing to rust inside the tire.
But nitrogen and pumping are more expensive for them, so all the advantages are far-fetched.
conclusions
Having dealt with this issue, we can draw the following conclusion:
- the optimal tire pressure is indicated by the manufacturer and should be adhered to;
- in winter, and when driving off-road, the tires can be lowered, but not more than 15%, but do not forget that the handling becomes worse, and the rubber wears out faster and the suspension is damaged;
- nitrogen does not give any advantages.
Observe traffic rules, adhere to the speed limit and regularly check the pressure in all tires - this will avoid an accident, and the car will not let you down on the way.
What is your tire pressure? Leave your opinion and comments below!
Video: tire pressure
Not every driver pays attention to the tire pressure of their car. But the safety on the road, handling and maneuvering of the car sometimes depends on what pressure in the tires. In addition, the tire pressure level affects:
- for fuel consumption,
- uniform wear of the wheel itself,
- may cause hernias on the wheel court.
If the pressure in tires r13 and r14 is increased, then, for example, when hitting an obstacle, the tire may even explode. Incorrect tire pressure r15 will also affect maneuverability when entering a corner, turning, etc. Best of all, at different levels of inflation of car wheels, the following figure will show.
Tire pressure
As you can see, already by the wear of the tread, you can determine what the problem of pumping the rim is, but it is better not to bring this up to this, but to maintain a certain atmosphere at the required values.
The tire pressure must be checked at least once a month. Professional drivers check every 2 weeks and before every long journey. And an external inspection of the wheels should be daily before starting the car engine. Although, if you are a happy owner of low-profile tires, then it is impossible to determine what pressure should be in the tires by eye.
In recent years, tire and car repair specialists have advised purchasing tubeless wheels. But a decade ago, it seemed fantastic. To date, the operation of tires with tubes is isolated cases, and after a couple of years, wheels with a tube inside can be found, probably, only on a bicycle.
The tubeless tire has the best wear resistance characteristics due to the increased vulcanization. Due to their lighter weight, their technical characteristics are better due to less inertia. In addition, the tubeless tire balances better. Their service life is also longer. In addition, in the event of a puncture, the "tubeless" will keep the air longer, which will allow you to safely reach the service department.
Also, we will not consider the question of the need to ride winter tires with studs and with a greater tread depth in winter, because this affects your safety and the safety of not only the car, but the life and health of those around you. Therefore, in the summer we use summer wheels and no "all-season" in other periods, if you do not live in snowless Europe. The choice of a tire manufacturer's brand is your choice, the only thing worth paying attention to is that the radius of the wheels must exactly match the one recommended in the vehicle's service book.
VAZ cars can be considered one of the most famous brands in the post-Soviet space. Today you can find both old VAZ-2106 and 2107 models. The Samara 2109 and 21099 are quite common. Fans of the domestic auto industry today buy more modern models: VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114 and 2115... This suggests that even with the appearance on the market of a large number of affordable foreign cars, the cars of the Volzhsky plant did not cease to be in demand among motorists.
It is important to always know the tire pressure of the vehicle. In order for the service life of the car to be long enough, it is necessary to strictly adhere to all the conditions for correct operation. Among the various factors that determine the correct use of the machine, tire pressure is very important and significant.
Car tire pressure, how important is it?
However, it should not be forgotten that it also depends on load distribution, ambient temperature and other factors.
Control measurement of pressure in the tire of a car VAZ 2106 With over-pumped wheels, we observe the following:
- decrease in the coefficient of resistance;
- a lower degree of deformation;
- smaller contact patch with the road;
- decrease in shock absorption;
- increased controllability.
With under-inflated wheels, the following phenomena are observed:
- an increase in the size of the contact patch with the road;
- increasing the coefficient of resistance;
- increased fuel consumption;
- increasing the smoothness of the course;
- deterioration in vehicle handling.
Automotive pressure gauge - dial and electronic with LCD screen In both the first and second cases, the wear of the protectors increases. In the first case, the middle of the tread deteriorates, in the second - the sidewalls.
How does the type of rubber affect the pressure?
You should be aware that the tire diameter does not affect the pressure indicators - for rubber r13, r14 and r15 it will be the same. The degree of load on the wheels plays a role here.
It should be borne in mind that with a temperature difference, for example, if you drive from heat to cold, the tire pressure may become lower. In summer, they should have about 1.9 atmospheres with an average workload. If the car is fully loaded, the rubber should be inflated to 2.1 atmospheres.
Tire pressure table for different models of a VAZ car
The table below shows what should be the tire pressure for various models of VAZ cars. We provide an incomplete list, older types, like the VAZ-21099, and newer cars: VAZ-2110, 21111 and 21112.
Recommended tire pressure table for VAZ cars In winter, it is customary to lower the wheels a little, although it is officially stated that the degree of their inflation does not depend on the season. However, flat wheels provide the following benefits:
- better stability on slippery roads;
- smooth running of the car;
- reduction of braking distance and reduction of the likelihood of an emergency.
Check your car tire pressure regularly
Owners of VAZ cars, like any other brands, are recommended to regularly check the degree of wheel inflation - at least once a month. Practice shows that over the course of a month, the pressure decreases by 0.4 atmospheres. In this case, it is necessary to pump up the wheels.
To measure, you do not need to constantly go to a service station - you can do it yourself using a pressure gauge. We do it this way:
- We reset the readings of the device.
- Remove the cover from the spool.
- We put the fitting of the device on the nipple and press.
- We take readings of the device.
Check your car's tire pressure regularly Since the temperature can significantly affect the readings, it is necessary to take them off before leaving the garage on "cold" tires. Remember that regular monitoring is the key to your safety and the long service life of the vehicle.
Conclusion
For many years, cars of the VAZ brand have remained the most famous and popular variety of products of the domestic automobile industry among consumers. They are not considered as prestigious as in the old days, but they honestly serve faithfully for several generations of motorists.
One of the important factors that determines the literacy of car operation is the tire pressure. The manufacturer insists that the owner of the car is obliged to ensure its value, recommended in special tables. This affects factors such as vehicle handling, fuel consumption, ride comfort and the safety of the driver and passengers.
Foot pump with pressure gauge ННУ-500 Tire pressure depends on car model, rubber type and load index. By checking the tabular data, each driver can determine the optimal value for his car.
Regular monitoring of indicators is also a prerequisite for the correct operation of the car, its long service life, as well as your safety on the road.
1 commentProbably every motorist knows how important is the "correct" tire pressure in a car. However, not everyone knows about the factors that affect tire pressure, as well as the features that must be taken into account when operating a vehicle.
According to the popular opinion of motorists, only the presence or absence of external damage to the tire or rim affects the tire pressure. However, in practice, there is a whole host of factors that, in their totality, can lead to significant differences in indicators. In this article, we will try to tell you about all the nuances.
What is tire pressure
At first glance, this question is the simplest one. Typically, tire pressure refers to the density of the air that is inflated in them or pumped. It, of course, has a pressure higher than in the surrounding atmosphere, and it is this difference that is the key value that ensures the performance of the wheel.
The advent of pneumatic wheels was perhaps the main invention made in the early days of the automobile industry. The tire inflated with compressed air made it possible to effectively smooth out road irregularities, ensure a high smoothness of the vehicle and damp shock loads transmitted from the roadway to the structural elements of the car.
Video - about the importance of maintaining the correct tire pressure in a car:
Solid wheels could not provide this, and to this day there are no technologies capable of providing similar performance characteristics, which are given by pneumatic wheels, with the corresponding simplicity and low cost.
In fact, from the very beginning, when such wheels began to be used on vehicles, engineers had a reasonable question about what tire pressure should be considered optimal for a particular car. And as a result, it became clear that for each category of vehicles, such indicators will be very different.
So what influences the selection of the optimal tire pressure for a car?
Vehicle weight
Perhaps, this criterion is the main one, because the tire is designed to provide, first of all, effective absorption of loads of various types - shock, vibration, etc.
Operating temperature
Everyone knows from the school physics course that gases tend to expand when heated, and at low temperatures - to reduce their pressure. Accordingly, the tire pressure must compensate for temperature fluctuations that occur during vehicle operation.
However, this statement applies not only to the range of external operating temperatures, but also to the fact that the tire heats up during rolling. By the way, the difference in temperature between the wheel of a stationary and a moving vehicle is very significant, and it is very easy to check it - just touch the wheel of the car. It turns out to be quite hot. In fact, this means that if the wheel is "over-pumped", in motion due to heating it can simply explode, which is very dangerous.
The location of the wheel on the front or rear axle
As you know, the axle loads for any car are different, and very significantly. The load distribution parameter is called weight distribution and, despite the fact that from the point of view of optimal parameters, the best result is a 50x50 weight distribution, engineers cannot achieve this parameter even on sports cars with a center engine position within the wheelbase.
In practice, however, weight distribution can be influenced by many factors, including the number of passengers, load, etc. Accordingly, the load on the tires also varies within very wide limits.
Video - why measure tire pressure:
Taking into account all the mentioned characteristics, the vehicle engineers calculate the average tire pressure value, which is designed to "balance" these criteria and ensure uniformity of performance over the entire range of operating loads.
How to measure it correctly
A special device called a pressure gauge is used to measure tire pressure. It can be either mechanical or electronic, represent a separate device or be included in the compressor package, but its function remains the same - accurate measurement of the pressure created in the car wheel.
It goes without saying that the pressure gauge, like any mechanism for accurate measurements, has its own error. Its value is indicated on the body of the device, and the smaller it is, the more accurate the measurement made by the driver will be. In this case, the car manufacturer also indicates the recommended tire pressure for a specific vehicle in the accompanying documentation. Many tire manufacturers also provide their own recommendations.
At first glance, everything is simple - the driver only needs to adjust the tire pressure in accordance with the factory recommendations and maintain it at a given level. However, here we return to the fact that a number of factors affect pressure, and the main one is temperature.
Video - what can lead to the wrong pressure in the tires of the car:
In practice, this means that, having pumped the wheels up to the standard value in the warm season (for a passenger car, it varies, depending on the mass, from 2 to 2.5 atmospheres), with a decrease in temperature, we will get a pressure that is significantly lower. It is especially problematic to "catch" the correct pressure if the car is stored in a warm garage. As a result, the wheels initially inflated to the correct value will change their physical properties during the trip, and when entering the heated box, the pressure will return to normal.
The solution to this problem can be the option when the tires are inflated after a long time, or compensating tire pumping in the box. However, the question arises as to how much the tire should be pumped so that in winter the pressure in the wheels is within the recommended range. Let's try to analyze this situation using examples of VAZ cars, which, as you know, have a wheel diameter of R13 or R14.
Tire pressures in winter and summer (table)
| Automobile | Dimension of wheels | Summer tire pressure | Tire pressure in winter | ||
| Front axle | Rear axle | Front axle | Rear axle | ||
| VAZ 2104 | 165 / 80R13 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 2.3 |
| 175 / 70R13 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 2.4 | |
| VAZ 2108/09/99 | 165 / 70R13 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 175 / 70R13 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| 155 / 80R13 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
| Family VAZ 2110 and Lada Priora | 175 / 70R13 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 175 / 65R14 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | |
| 185 / 60R14 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | |
The data in the table are for vehicles stored in a warm box. As you can see, the difference between the "summer" and "winter" pressure is about 0.1-0.2 atmospheres and it is this difference that is designed to compensate for the difference in thermal expansion and contraction of the air in the tire.
Despite the fact that we gave this example for popular VAZ models, a similar approach can be easily used for cars from other manufacturers.
What threatens the wrong tire pressure when driving a car
Very often, motorists underestimate the decrease in tire pressure of the car or their deviation from the manufacturer's regulatory recommendations.
In practice, the difference in tire pressure can lead to a deterioration in vehicle handling, increased tire wear, as well as a change in the balance of the vehicle when driving in corners.
The fact is that the uniformity of the tire pressure is an important aspect of the correct weight distribution of the vehicle. The pressure change is especially acute when driving on slippery surfaces and in winter time it can even lead to an increased "tendency" of the car to skid when cornering.
As already mentioned, not only reduced pressure can be dangerous, but also its increase. An over-inflated tire is often even more dangerous than an under-inflated tire. This is due to the fact that the wheel loses its elasticity and ability to effectively deal with shock loads from the coating.
As a result, driving a large bump at high speed can lead to an abrupt increase in pressure, which the tire will not be able to withstand. Thus, a wheel can explode in a relatively harmless driving situation.
As you can see, it is imperative to monitor the tire pressure. I would like to believe that this material will help you and answer the questions that may arise during the operation of the vehicle.
Video - the driver's opinion on what should be the tire pressure in winter:
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Comments on the article:
Sashak
Inflated tires are a bad joke. I remember that in the morning I was looking at it, the rear wheels were lowered, but I had to go to a long distance truck. Drove at a gas station pumped up. And the weather was so-so: in the morning it was freezing slightly, and then in the afternoon it was hot in the sun. Well, I blew too much into one wheel for a hike, because I drive up almost to where I needed to, and grab a hole in the road with just this wheel. It’s so hot! Sound like a burst packet, I guess. There was no good oncoming lane. In general, the tire and fender liner were blown to pieces in general. I put the spare wheel on and ran on.
Nikolay
"In the garage, the wheels are warm" - and on the way, what are they cold? The wheels heat up pretty well while driving. If in frost -10-15 you drive 100-150 km on dry asphalt, and then move to a snowy parking lot, the snow melts under them.
Evgeniy
Such a simple, one might even say elementary, procedure will save a lot of nerves, time, and sometimes even lives. It was not for nothing that they came up with the idea of prohibiting the operation of the vehicle with faulty steering. Wheels are part of it - and you need to be careful about this. And it is not difficult to monitor the tire pressure.
Evgeniy
Such a simple, one might even say elementary, procedure will save a lot of nerves, time, and sometimes even lives. It was not for nothing that they came up with the idea of prohibiting the operation of the vehicle with faulty steering. Wheels are part of it - and you need to be careful about this.
Oleg
I made it a rule to check the tire pressure daily before leaving the garage. It is on cold ones, as the manufacturer recommends. The only time I deliberately release the pressure is when driving on a terrible off-road (I have an SUV), it helps to overcome it.
Anatole
Artem Popov
In my humble opinion, tire pressure is often not given enough attention. By drivers, this parameter is often considered unimportant, insignificant. Moreover, sometimes it is even quite explicitly and deliberately ignored. Meanwhile, tire pressure can be very important, if not "vital", because a wheel can easily burst from excessive pressure, which can cause an accident. However, an under-inflated wheel is no less dangerous than an over-inflated one. And the consequences of this can be just as unpleasant and even dangerous for the driver, passengers and others.
Lyokha
I think every experienced driver has chilling stories related to the condition of the wheels. Indeed, in fact, this is the first, most important factor of many others, affecting the safety of driving. Well, except for the "driver factor", of course. Experts say that for the characteristics of each road surface, for each weather situation, there are recommendations for tire pressure. It turns out that the driver must stop several times during the trip by pumping up and then releasing the pressure. Inconvenient? Well, yes, not really. Only life is dearer than any inconvenience. It is necessary to monitor the optimal state of pressure, first of all, in extreme conditions: ice, loose snow, rain, etc.
novel
It is necessary to constantly monitor the tire pressure. I know that an over-pumped wheel can do more trouble than an under-pumped one. Elasticity is lost and at high speed you can easily skid the car when driving on bumps on the road. Several times I saw a situation when the wheels of would-be drivers exploded. I think you should not neglect the safety of your own and your passengers, and occasionally, at least when changing seasons, check the tire pressure. For this there is a pressure gauge, the procedure is quite quick. If the deviation from the norm and the controllability of the car is significantly reduced.
Nikolay
Hello everyone! What can I say about the pressure - you need to check it regularly, but not to the point of madness, as some authors write here - to check it before each exit from the garage, this is already excuse insanity. Every experienced driver can determine by eye if the wheel is "lying", at worst you can kick it with your foot. I also think that a decrease in pressure of 0.1-0.2 bar will not lead to anything critical. For example: if the specified axle pressure is 2.2, then a decrease to 2.0 is normal! But then you can already determine by eye. And of course, buy a monometer (not on a compressor), and a manual one - a small one for a quick check. Well, representatives of more expensive and newer cars are already using automatic tire pressure sensors with might and main. The same solaris are new - everything is already equipped with sensors, so nothing is required from the driver at all.
Oleg
Recently I just bought a car and I have to study various articles, but I have already experienced some of the problems myself. I drove 140 km, everything was fine, then the car stood in the parking lot for 5 hours, after going back I checked all the wheels, everything was fine. I drove 10 kilometers and felt that it was leading to the right. It turned out to have flattened the right wheel. The whole difficulty was that I did not know to what level to pump. Now I know that there is a plate with the norms on the door. In general, of course, it is better to study everything thoroughly about wheel pumping so that there are no unpleasant situations, now it is clear that this can even lead to an accident.
Anna
I myself faced a situation when in winter the sensor in the car began to show “check the tire pressure”. Of course, I immediately drove to the nearest service. The check showed that the pressure was within the normal range. It was then that I was told about the change in pressure at different times of the year.
Sergei
The pressure, in my opinion, should be checked in relatively warm weather, or in the garage. And pump up 0.1 atm higher than in summer. For in frosty conditions, the tires are often simply deflated. There is no point in pumping either - it will be tough and round like a donut, but we need the tread to adhere to the road with a larger area.
By the way, if it stalled somewhere, the following method helps: we lower the pressure of the driving wheels to 1-1.2 atm and slowly leave. The contact patch with the road is increased and the grip is improved. This allows you to crawl out of the snow captivity. Then we pump up the wheels to the norm.
Paul
When inflating car tires, I always inflate the tire pressure a little. Only 0.1-0.2 units. I noticed that the wheels lose a little pressure during operation, especially in winter, and after some time the indicators will become ideal. And here's an interesting story! I started to flatten the tire slightly, pump it up and continue to drive quietly for a couple of weeks, but when the wheel lowered again, I turned to the tire service. And I was surprised when the craftsmen removed the screwdriver's removable nib from the wheel !!! And it flew in at such a tricky angle that I didn’t notice it, looking at the wheel several times. The master left this detail in his collection, a piece of iron taken out of the wheels.
Natalia
Previously, I usually went to the tire shop to check the pressure and, if necessary, inflate the wheel. I bought a compressor 3 years ago. Now I monitor the pressure myself, especially before the long journey.
Sergei
Adjusting tire pressure, in addition to the standard, always depends on experience and on the duration of operation of a particular brand of car (just a habit). Basically, the whole theory is based on the use of new rubber, so wear and tear should not be forgotten, especially when buying used rubber. As wear increases, the pressure must be reduced or increased according to the ambient temperature or axle load. It is also necessary to monitor the wheel alignment - for example, if you notice that the rubber is eating up, and there is no way to go to the service station in the near future, then the pressure must be reduced and the driving speed must be reduced. in winter it is especially dangerous.
Michael
Tire pressure is important. It also greatly affects the ease of steering. If the steering wheel starts spinning tighter, I immediately check the pressure in the front wheels. And in general, I try to pump up the wheels once a week. Some slow down, poor seal on the rim of the wheel rim. Recently I went to a tire service and "cured" 2 of these wheels. But after seasonal storage in a set of wheels, at least one of them necessarily "gets sick" - apparently, rust forms on the disc.
Igor
Now such things are being sold - a unit that is installed in the cabin on the panel and four transmitters that are screwed onto the wheel valves. And always in real time, you can observe the pressure in all wheels, and if it starts to deflate, then a signal will follow. The cost of such kits is really not at all Divine, in the region of 10-15 thousand. Therefore, it is enough to buy a pressure gauge for fifty dollars to control the pressure and spend 10-15 minutes of precious time. Well, it is imperative to visually inspect the wheels every morning, assessing the degree of inflation, and indeed the presence of wheels 🙂
Lida
I had such a situation: I got into the car - the wheels were normally inflated (no visible changes in shape). And while I was driving, apparently one lowered a little…. as I later discovered. And so an unusual and incomprehensible knock appeared. After swapping, the knock disappeared. What could it be? Or was it not connected with the bus, but just coincided?
Igor
I noticed such a feature - the temperature drops a little (especially in the morning it freezes), the pressure gauge starts to show less than the norm, about 1.8 in the wheels, I pump them up to the norm of 2.0. And by lunchtime the sun is already up to almost 20 degrees plus, and the tire pressure of the car has already grown to 2.3. And if you also ride, then up to 2.5 rises on warm rubber. In general, a great thing is temperature! And what I wanted to say - do not rush to conclusions, having measured the pressure in the wheels. It is necessary to interpolate all the results for the season, for the average daily temperature, otherwise it will be necessary to pump up and lower the wheels three times a day 🙂
Gregory
I live in Siberia, so I already got into the habit of pumping the wheels up to 2.2 atmospheres in the rear and up to 2.1 at the front in winter, because during extreme temperature conditions the air loses pressure significantly, so I'm thinking, maybe if it will be more practical to pump nitrogen with nitrogen, comrades, what would you advise?
Tatyana
If you strictly follow the technical data, then you need to ensure that the tire pressure corresponds to them. However, in life this does not always coincide. If I take a car from the garage (it is not heated), then in the morning I look and set the pressure required by the manual. If I arrived at the dacha and I see a flat tire, then I either wait until the cylinders cool down, or I pump 0.2 atm more, because when it cools down, it will be the norm. As for the pressure gauge, it is better mechanical than electronic. Already changed 3 electronic ones and everyone is lying.
Denis
And my rubber was eating for about six months, I thought it might be similar collapse, and then I found the reason - riding on a flat tire!
SuperMakarij
Tire pressure is a serious thing. Many drivers focus on this not from the point of view of the correct operation of the car, but they are worried about extending the life of the tires. In principle, you need to think about this, but with an over-pumped wheel, get a tire explosion at high speed, but God forbid the front one - bad jokes. I had a case once, the rubber was worn out, but still looked decent. I asked the young locksmith at the tire changer to pump up, he pumped it up and as a result, a hernia formed on the inside, which burst on the road. It’s good that I didn’t go fast, everything worked out, but now I regularly check the tires and inflate them at least once a month, adjust and equalize the pressure in the tires.
Oleg
Tire pressure must be taken very seriously. If the tires are under-inflated - increased rubber wear, instability on the road, which is fraught with an accident on the track. An over-inflated tire - danger of explosion and very serious accident. Therefore, leaving in the morning, the first thing I do is look at the tire pressure and pump up, if anything, in full accordance with the instruction manual. It's another matter if you have to overcome snow drifts or a difficult-to-pass section of the road. Then just the case when you have to lower the tire pressure and sometimes quite significantly. This is to increase the contact area between the tire and the road to reduce spin. But just got out on a normal road, immediately pump up the tires to normal.
Laura
I have little driving experience, but still ... I always maintain the pressure in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. In non-standard conditions, I never pump up / do not reduce pressure, but I try to correct my driving style depending on the situation on the road. That's all…
Nikolay
I watch the wheels regularly, I don't check the pressure every day, but if I don't like something while driving, I definitely measure it. In the summer I try not to pump, there was a case when the wheel exploded. Uneven pressure is the unpredictable behavior of the vehicle on the road. Although it is difficult to determine with power steering, it all comes with experience. Usually starts to drift towards the tire with reduced pressure. There are all sorts of recommendations when it is better to pump, when to lower it, but all this brings benefits only in one key from a bunch of factors. In some cases, fuel is saved, but the suspension or the tire itself is worn out. All these manipulations should be carried out only if absolutely necessary. I try to keep my blood pressure normal both in winter and summer.
Sergei
I always ride with slightly under-inflated tires. In summer, in the heat, this prevents possible problems associated with high blood pressure. In winter, the grip patch increases on a slippery frozen road. For myself, I still noted that unevenly inflated tires cause more problems than over-inflated or under-inflated tires.
Artem
I always control the pressure in the wheels, and try to keep it in the range of 2, the weight of the car is 1300 kg. Only in winter do I release the pressure to 1 in order to drive on snow or ice!
Maria
We bought a new car in the showroom. While we were driving home, we rode every bump. Pressure 4 atmospheres. They called the salon, they said such norms
Egor
It is hardly worth checking the tire pressure before every exit from the garage, this is already too much. Imagine: before you go to work. in a suit and white shirt, you climb to the dirty wheels to measure the pressure.
If you let it down a lot, then you can see it by eye, and so - once a week, maximum. Usually, the wheel or normally holds pressure for a long time. or drops to zero overnight if a puncture happened.
Anatoly
So many years behind the wheel, and never heard of weight distribution! But I feel in which tire the pressure has dropped, noticeably in the course of the car.
Alexey Zayats
I myself faced such a problem. If the pressure is 1.5-1.6 in the tires, then at a rate of 2-2.1 this is not very noticeable, but their wear increases significantly, and even with uneven pressure, one wears out faster than the other. Now I go to the tire fitting once a week, pump up).
Vladimir Petenenkov
Previously, I did not attach importance to this, but as at gas stations they began to use tire inflation services free of charge, I began to use it right away. To be honest, it saves a little money on gasoline, the second is nerves, since the car behaves more adequately on the road. Well, yes! Rubber wears out less!
Maxim Sergeevich
A certain pressure does not have an exact standard. For example, when skidding in difficult conditions such as mud, especially in ditches, it is better to lower the tire pressure. This increases the adhesion to the soil, due to softening and streamlining. This approach also works in winter with slush, when the car is not yet completely buried and there is access to the nipple.
Denis
Many parameters of the car depend on the pressure in the tires: this is tire wear, fuel consumption, and cross-country ability in some cases.
It is especially important to select the appropriate pressure when the temperature changes in winter and summer.
Everyone is free to control the pressure independently, some put sophisticated tire pressure monitoring systems, someone uses a pressure gauge, but the most reckless are checked by eye.
I belong to the latter, i.e. sometimes every day (depending on the proposed route), sometimes every other day, I measure the pressure with a pressure gauge.
If it is necessary to inflate the tires, I am guided by the rate set by the manufacturer in the documentation for the car.
In winter, I only inflate the tires in the garage to avoid pressure differences and bring the pressure closer to ideal. And you also need to take into account the loading of the car.
However, sometimes it is simply necessary to relieve the tire pressure. Whether in winter or summer, when driving off-road, as this will significantly increase the cross-country ability.
Michael
I swing the front wheels to 1.8, the rear to 2.0. Recently I pumped up a wheel and a friend asked how much I pumped, I told him that they say so and so. To which I received the answer, the front tires should also be a bad grade, since the front is the engine. Whom to believe? The operation book says 1.8.
Macarius
I had a case. For a long time, driving the car out of the garage, I did not pay attention to the condition of the tires, especially those located on the starboard side. I accelerated along the highway strongly, at the turn I felt that I was not naturally shaken, the car somehow sank to my right side. I was confused, I almost jumped off the track. The front wheel was half deflated. Now I watch the tires in both directions.
Nikolay Vetrov
I check it once a week. The weather became capricious, heat in the daytime - cold at night. I also have soft tires, on the "eye" the tires are half-deflated. The difference in pressure is immediately felt on the front end. The car takes down, so, watch, do not be lazy. Wear is nonsense compared to an accident.
Sergei
Nowadays, there are simply many varieties of rubber and the determination of pressure for many becomes difficult, even if there are recommendations for a specific classification. In such cases, it is advisable to do pumping on new tires with a slight undershoot with running-in without special weight loads in order to determine the constant seasonal rate. Experience is needed for independent action.
Igor
Here I completely agree with Sergey. I had Kama rubber on my Niva, I kept the pressure as in the manual, about 1.9 atm, now I switched to KUMHO, and noticed that the rubber seemed to be under-pumped. Raised the pressure to 2 atm, it's still not enough, went to the tire fitting, the specialists say 2.2 is needed. I've been driving with this pressure for six months now, everything is fine. And so, usually I look visually, for 30 years of working as a driver, I can tell by eye whether the pressure is normal or not. In the morning, if it gets colder, I definitely pump it up, if it's hot, on the contrary, I bleed it a little and, despite the experience, I check it with a pressure gauge. I have a mechanical one since 1988, the glass is already cracked, but I won't change it for electronic, it hurts too much they lie.
Anton
To be able to pump up the tires at any time, I bought myself an electric pump that works from a cigarette lighter. Beauty in the forest or on a country road is not scary. You can always inflate the tire.
Basil
on hot tires I set the pressure to 2.2, in winter in the morning the pressure drops to 1.9 when driving it returns to 2.2, if on cold tires I put 2.2, then on heated tires the pressure rises to 2.5
Vladimir
Well, in fact, if you drive in the city, then there is no point in pumping up in winter and summer in different ways, absolutely no. I rocked 2.3 on Civic both in summer and winter.
It is much more dangerous when the pressure drops and if not strongly, then at first it is imperceptible. And it so happens that on one 2.3, on the other 2.0, on the third 1.8, etc. And this is at least uneven rubber wear, and in general the car itself can behave incomprehensibly, so I recommend checking the tire pressure at least once a week.
Nikolay
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The tire pressure must be kept according to the car's instructions. I (Korando C 200) in winter (on a winter tire) and in summer keep 2.1 (round). True, the second winter will have to go on an all-season, so the pressure drops to 2.0 - this was enough for driving in the Donetsk region ...
