Tire pressure light on? Why cold weather can set it off, and why you don’t have to panic

News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions twice per week in a segment called “ Ask Trooper Steve .”

On Tuesday, Trooper Steve was asked about tire pressure on cars.

“You know that moment when you’re running late, you hop in the car, start it up and BING! That little orange tire icon pops up on your dashboard?” Montiero said. “Before you panic or assume you’ve got a flat, take a deep breath. The chilly weather is likely the real culprit.”

As temperatures drop, so does the air pressure inside your tires. It’s basic science: when air gets cold, it contracts. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tire pressure can drop by about one pound per square inch (PSI). That small change is often just enough to trigger your car’s tire pressure monitori