What should you do about tire pressure when the tires are hot?

When tires are hot, the pressure inside them can increase due to the heat generated from driving. The most accurate way to check tire pressure is when the tires are cold, meaning they have not been driven for a few hours or have been parked in the shade. At this point, the tires will provide a true reading of the current air pressure without the fluctuations caused by heat.

If you check the pressure when the tires are hot and then adjust the pressure accordingly—like letting air out or inflating to maximum pressure—you may inadvertently set the pressure too low or too high, which can compromise handling and safety. Therefore, it’s advisable to wait until the tires have cooled down before checking the pressure to ensure they are correctly inflated for safe driving conditions.