When temperatures drop, winter tyres and the correct tyre pressure become two of the most important safety factors on your car. Check the pressure regularly – and convert the manufacturer values between bar and psi in seconds with our Convert tire pressure.
Setting the correct tyre pressure
The correct pressure is printed on the sticker in the door pillar or inside the fuel filler flap – not the value on the tyre sidewall, which is merely the maximum permitted pressure. As handy conversions:
| Unit | Conversion |
|---|---|
| 1 bar | 14.5 psi |
| 1 bar | ≈ 100 kPa |
When the car is fully loaded or towing a trailer, increase the pressure – typically by +0.2 to +0.3 bar. The exact figures are in the table in your vehicle. Use the Convert tire pressure to switch to psi so nothing gets confused at the pump.
Measure warm or cold?
Always check tyre pressure on cold tyres, i.e. before longer drives. Warm tyres show a higher value that distorts the reading.
Why cold weather lowers pressure
Physics cannot be fooled: for every 10 °C drop in temperature the tyre loses around 0.1 bar of pressure. If the temperature falls by 20–30 °C from autumn to deep winter, that adds up quickly. So in winter the rule is: check more often.
- Higher fuel consumption from increased rolling resistance
- Heavier and uneven wear
- Poorer handling and vague steering
- Longer braking distance and risk of overheating when pressure is too low
Winter tyres: the cold-season rule
A common rule of thumb fits winter tyres from October until Easter. Pay attention to tread depth:
- Legal minimum: 1.6 mm
- Recommended for winter tyres: at least 4 mm
In Germany a situational winter tyre requirement applies: on ice, snow, slush or frost you may only drive with suitable tyres. The rule depends on the weather, not on the date.
Braking distance in winter
On wet roads, snow and ice the braking distance increases significantly – and even more with the wrong pressure or worn tread. To see how large the difference between conditions is, use the Braking Distance Calculator. Keep a bigger gap in winter and adjust your speed. Correct tyre pressure, enough tread and anticipatory driving together are the best insurance for arriving safely.
