One nice thing about living in Fort Lauderdale is that, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about dealing with extremely cold temperatures, and snow and ice won’t affect your BMW.
But that doesn’t mean that you can entirely avoid taking action to avoid BMW problems in the cooler months of the winter. This is particularly true when it comes to your tires and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In this article, we’ll explore the basics about what you need to know to care for your BMW’s tires in the winter.
The Temperature Affects The Air Pressure In Your Tires
This is a fact that many folks are still not aware of, especially in warmer climates like Fort Lauderdale. But it’s true! Depending on the weather and temperature outside, the pressure of the air inside your tires will be affected, because cold air has a higher density than warm air.
This means that, as a rule, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature drops, your tire pressure will drop by 1 PSI. And, conversely, as the weather heats up, tire pressure will increase by 1 PSI.
That means that you should probably adjust the PSI in your tires in the winter. You can do it yourself, or have a BMW service in Fort Lauderdale, and ask the BMW performance shop to take a look at your tire inflation levels.
TPMS Won’t Always Tell You If Your Tires Are Improperly Inflated
If the temperature drops from a high of 90 F in the summer to a low of 50 F in the winter, that means your tire pressure may be low – or high – if you haven’t adjusted it. “But wait,” you say. “Won’t my TPMS tell me if my tires aren’t inflated properly?”
Not always. TPMS is mandated on all cars manufactured after 2008. However, the warning light isn’t required to turn on until the tire is 25% below or above the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
The risk of a tire blowout or failure increases even at just 6 psi below or above the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, which may not be enough to trigger TPMS, in some vehicles.
Tips For Winter Tire Care
So, what should you do to care for your BMW and its tires in the winter? Here are a few tips.
- Check tire pressure every two weeks, and add or remove air based on the recommendations in your BMW owner’s manual, to keep your tires properly inflated
- Check tire pressure if there is a sudden drop or increase in temperature
- Perform a quick visual examination of your tires every time you check the PSI, looking for damage and indications of wear
- If you notice an issue with your tires, take your car to a BMW performance shop, and have the tire checked to make sure it’s safe to drive on
Need A BMW Diagnostic Or Repair? Come To Euromotive Performance!
From diagnosing a BMW oil leak, to troubleshooting TPMS and installing new tires, we do it all at Euromotive Performance. If you’re having an issue with your TPMS, have questions about the right tires for your car, or just would like to bring your car in for a tune-up this winter, we’re here to help. Contact us online now if you have questions, and bring your BMW in today!
