Why does your tire pressure light come on in cool weather? Where to get free air checks

Evan Moore
·3 min read

Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are useful to have, but it can be distressing when the warning light on your dashboard comes on.

Tire pressure warning lights indicate that one or more of your tires may need to be inflated.

Though it may be tempting to ignore, low tire pressure can hurt your car’s fuel economy, make your vehicle tougher to handle, and lead to blowouts — especially if you travel at high speeds, according to Car and Driver.

As the weather cools down in North Carolina, you may notice your warning light shines more often.

Here’s why cold weather affects tire pressure, what to do when your warning light comes on and where to get free air checks in North Carolina.

Why does cold weather affect tire pressure?

Cold weather can shrink the volume of air in your tires, which can lead to low tire pressure, according to HowStuffWorks.

For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tire pressure can decrease by one to two pounds per square inch (PSI).

But as your tire warms up, your warning light may go off after you’ve driven a few miles, according to Schrader TPMS Solutions, a manufacturer of TPMS systems.

What to do when your tire pressure light comes on

If your tire pressure warning light comes on, you should check your tires using a tire pressure gauge, according to Car and Driver. Tire pressure gauges can be purchased for as little as $4 online.

If your air pressure is low, you should find a nearby gas station or service station to inflate your tires. The PSI needed to inflate your tires is listed on the sticker inside the front door on the driver’s side of your vehicle, Car and Driver says.

Your TPMS light should go off after driving for 10 miles after you have inflated your tires. If it doesn’t, your TPMS may need to be reset, or it may be malfunctioning.

Where to get free tire pressure and air checks in NC

If your low tire pressure light does come on, there are multiple businesses around North Carolina that will check your tire pressure and add air to your tires if needed. Some will even do so for free:

  • Costco’s Tire Service Center has a self-service station you can pull up and use to check your tire pressure for free. You don’t have to have a Costco membership to use the self-service station.

  • Discount Tire: This national chain offers free tire pressure checks and will add air to your tires if needed. You can simply pull in to locations or schedule an appointment ahead of time at discounttire.com/schedule-appointment.

  • QuikTrip: The gas stations typically offer free air stations where you can fill up your own tires. You can search for local locations that offer free air at locations.quiktrip.com.

  • Sam’s Club provides free tire pressure checks and inflation as needed to Sam’s Club members.