[net.auto] The Measurement of Tire Pressures

ix21@sdccs6.UUCP (David Whiteman) (05/10/84)

I have read in several sources that tire pressure measurements
should be made when the tire is cold.  Does this mean  that the
tires should be a certain temperature or simply that the car on
which the tires have been mounted had not been driven for a given
period of time.  I've notice that on a hot day that the pressure
can increase just from exposure to direct sunlight on a hot day.
Is there a way to compensate for this.

David

fish@ihu1g.UUCP (Bob Fishell) (05/14/84)

The rule of thumb is to add 4 psi to a cold measurement to convert
it to a "hot" measurement.  Look up Boyles' laws for a more accurate
computation.  However, I thought that tire pressure should always
be measured hot, because that's what the tires are when you're rolling.
-- 

                               Bob Fishell
                               ihnp4!ihu1g!fish

an@hou2h.UUCP (A.NGUYEN) (05/14/84)

--
> Bob Fishell (ihnp4!ihu1g!fish):
> .. I thought that tire pressure should always be measured hot,
> because that's what the tires are when you're rolling.

Tyre temperature (and hence pressure) when underway could vary a lot
depending on cold inflation pressure (underfinflated tyres flex more
and generate more heat), load, and driving style (four wheel drifts,
hard braking, etc), and other factors.  Therefore cold pressure is
always a more consistent baseline.

> The rule of thumb is to add 4 psi to a cold measurement to convert
> it to a "hot" measurement.

I figure 10 percent of cold pressure.

	Au