Winter tires: Expert recommends higher air pressure

Created: 06/12/2022, 09:30

By: Marcus Efler

The first snow is approaching, the winter tires are mounted according to regulations.

Drivers should now pay attention to one important detail.

Word has gotten around that summer tires have to give way in winter.

Whether you are driving on all-season tires or, optimally, on winter tires that are optimized for snow and ice, makes no legal difference - a fine is avoided.

But the more important question is: Am I actually safe on the road now?

This should be guaranteed with properly mounted tires with the correct profile.

However, there is still one step that drivers – or the authorized workshop – should not neglect: set the correct air pressure.

And that's exactly what it's all about.

Winter tires: Expert recommends higher air pressure

The correct tire pressure not only ensures safety, but also saves fuel.

(Iconic image) © Xander Heinl/Imago

Experts recommend that you don't necessarily choose the value given in the operating instructions (or on the note on the tank cap), but rather a slightly higher one.

"Since there are significant temperature fluctuations in winter, it can't hurt to put a little more pressure in the tires than required by the manufacturer," explains Stefan Ehl, motor vehicle expert at the KÜS expert organization.

Fluctuations of ten degrees could change the pressure inside the tire by 0.1 bar, according to the expert: "When the temperatures drop, the pressure also drops.

Since outside temperatures tend to be lower in winter, there is no harm in increasing the official value by one or two decimal places.”

Winter tires: Better 2.2 instead of 2.0 bar

A calculation example: If the tire was filled with 2 bar at an outside temperature of 20 degrees, this could drop to 1.8 bar at temperatures around freezing point.

So if the pressure was previously increased to 2.2 bar, you are on the road with ideal tire pressure in frosty temperatures.

If you check the pressure and add air, you should also not do this if the tires have warmed up.

In general, there is no harm in adding slightly more air to the tires than recommended.

A little more pressure reduces the tire contact area and thus the rolling resistance.

This reduces drive consumption and tire wear.

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Winter tires: sometimes less is more

However, the opposite case can also occur: "If you drive through deep snow or off-road through muddy ground, for example, the lower tire pressure can increase traction," says KÜS man Ehl: "Less pressure ensures a wider contact area, what In turn, the grip improves.” Anyone who has significantly reduced the air pressure should then drive at a maximum speed of 50 km/h and then increase the pressure back to the normal level when the road conditions are normal again.