Autumn Tyre Checks, and Why They Matter

Australian drivers are wise to check their tyres in Autumn to ensure they have optimal pressure for the cold seasons. When temperatures drop, tyres can lose between 1 and 2 PSI of tyre pressure per 10°C drop. Underinflation leads to reduced fuel efficiency, poor vehicle handling and premature tyre wear. Overinflation also comes with its problems, with poor traction and a bumpy ride being just some of the symptoms.

Many Australian drivers only check their tyres when the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on their dashboard indicates pressure is low. However by the time this light appears, you are likely already compromising your safety by driving on underinflated tyres. So regular tyre pressure checks are recommended.

Why Tyre Pressure Changes in Autumn

In autumn, the weather cools, and this change in temperature affects your tyres. Let’s look at what happens to tyres in the cold:

Tyre pressure in cold weather

In cold weather, the air within tyres contracts, causing a loss in pressure. Car tyre’s can experience a loss in pressure of between 1-2 PSI for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Tyre pressure may be especially low in the mornings, before the day warms up and your vehicle has been out on the road.

Over-Inflated vs Under-Inflated Tyres

Is having the right tyre pressure important? It certainly does, which is why vehicle manufacturers have clear specifications regarding tyre pressure, based on a vehicle’s weight, suspension design, and intended operating conditions. The right tyre pressure will help provide optimal safety, handling, fuel efficiency, ride comfort, and tyre wear. If the tyres are under or over inflated, the vehicle will not best deliver on these key tasks, and may not be fit for the road.

Risks of Underinflated Tyres:

• Cause an increase in braking distances. One of the most serious underinflated tyre dangers is that your vehicle may take too long to stop in an emergency.

• Flatten out and do not channel water effectively, so can contribute to hydroplaning, where your car tyres lose grip on a wet road surface, and your vehicle slides.

• Generate excess heat, which can damage the internal materials within the tyre. This reduces the strength of the tyre and reduces its lifespan. It also increases the risk of tyre blowouts.

• Wear on their edges more than they should, which ultimately shortens their lifespan. Keeping them properly inflated helps ensure even contact with the road, and prevents accelerated wear.

• Experience more rolling resistance and drag, which forces the engine to use more fuel than it should.

• For long distance driving in Australia, underinflated tyres can build up more heat over time, increasing the risk of damage or failure at highway speeds.

Risks of over-inflated tyres:

• Risks of Over-Inflated Tyres

• Less traction on the road, particularly in the wet.

• Wear faster in the middle due to the excess pressure causing the centre of the tyre to bulge outward. The centre of the tyre takes on more of the road contact and load than the edges. This degrades the tyre prematurely.

• Less ability to absorb shock from the road due to stiffer tyres, resulting in a harsher, bumpier ride.

• Higher risk of damage from road imperfections like potholes.

What Is the Correct Tyre Pressure for Your Car when driving in Australia?

There’s no single correct tyre pressure in Australia. Correct tyre pressure depends more on your vehicle, the type of driving you do (highway driving may require different pressure to off-road driving), and on the weight of your vehicle (how many passengers you’re carrying or if you’re carrying or towing a load will impact pressure requirements).

Where to find out the right tyre pressure for your vehicle

• Driver Door Placard: The easiest place to find out the tyre pressure you need is on the sticker inside your driver side door. This Tyre Loading Information chart outlines the appropriate cold tyre inflation pressure for your vehicle, based on whether the vehicle is heavily loaded or not. You will notice there is usually variation in tyre pressure between front and rear tyres, and the spare.

• Vehicle Owner’s Manual: You can also find a Tyre Loading Information chart in your vehicle owner’s manual.

• Online: These charts are readily available online.

• Tyre professionals: A seasoned tyre professional from Jim’s Mobile Tyres can help you with a recommendation when they do a Tyre Pressure Check and adjustment.

Tyre pressure is measured in different units. The common ones are PSI (Pounds per Square Inch), kPa (Kilopascals) and Bar. There are easy conversion tools online for this, and most tyre pressure gauges offer the option of swapping between these units.

What’s a safe general tyre pressure?

Whilst it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for required tyre pressure, here are general ranges:

Passenger vehicle tyres:

• 30-36 PSI
• 207–248 kPa
• 2.07-2.48 Bar)

SUVs / light trucks / utes will need:

• ~32–40 PSI
• 221–276 kPa
• 2.21-2.76 Bar

As we mentioned, front, rear and spare tyres may vary, and more pressure may be required if the vehicle is loaded.

Do I follow the recommended tyre pressure on my tyre?

No. The pressure listed on the tyre sidewall refers to the maximum pressure the tyre can be inflated to, rather than the appropriate pressure for your vehicle and driving requirements. You should never exceed this pressure, however if you are looking for the right pressure for your tyres, look at your driver door placard or owner’s manual instead.

How Often to Check Tyre Pressure

It’s good practice to check your tyre pressure at least once per month. You should also check tyre pressure:

• After any significant temperature drop.

• Between seasons, as changing weather can impact tyre pressure.

• Prior to a significant drive, as well-inflated tyres improve fuel efficiency and vehicle safety.

• Before carrying or towing a heavy load, as your tyre pressure will need to be adjusted based on the weight of your vehicle.

Remember, it is ideal to check tyre pressure when your tyres are cold. So, wait till your car has been parked for at least 3 hours before you check, or check first thing in the morning. If you are checking pressure at a service station, try for the closest to home, so your tyres don’t warm up much on the way.

Autumn Road Trip Reminder

Autumn in Australia includes school holidays and long weekends, so it often involves more time on the road. If you’re planning a trip or towing a caravan, it’s worth taking a few minutes to do your tyre pressure autumn checks.

• Check your tyre pressure before long-distance highway driving

• Ensure tyres are inflated to the correct PSI before loading your vehicle

• Adjust pressure if carrying heavy loads or towing

• Don’t forget to check your spare tyre

• Recheck pressure if temperatures drop suddenly before your trip

A quick check before you leave can help improve safety, fuel efficiency, and tyre life over longer journeys.

Signs Your Tyre Pressure May Be Wrong

If your tyre pressure isn’t quite right, your vehicle will often give you a few clues:
Steering feels heavier than usual.

• Vehicle pulls slightly to one side

• Uneven tread wear on tyres

• Increased fuel consumption

• TPMS warning light appears on your dashboard

• Rougher or bumpier ride than normal

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to check your tyre pressure as soon as possible.

Professional vs DIY Tyre Pressure Checks

Checking your tyre pressure yourself is a worthwhile habit—but it’s easy to miss faults that may cause tyre leaks. A tyre specialist can do a thorough assessment of all your tyres, and identify any problems early. They’ll also ensure your tyres are set to the correct pressure for your vehicle, load, and driving conditions.

Jim’s Mobile Tyres offers convenient, professional tyre inspections and pressure checks at your home or workplace across Australia—making it easier to stay on top of tyre safety without disrupting your day.

Jim’s Autumn Tyre Pressure Check Australia

When you book in a tyre service with Jim’s Mobile Tyres, we can do the following tyre assessments:

Inspect for Damage

Tyres can take a beating over summer, so it’s a good idea to check their condition to make sure they can handle wet and slippery autumn/winter road conditions. We check for cracks, bulges, or objects embedded in the tyre. These can worsen in cold weather and lead to sudden tyre failure if left unaddressed.

Check for Leaks

Suspect a slow leak? Small tyre punctures or valve leaks may have developed after a summer of driving, which can lead to gradual air loss over time. As temperatures begin to drop in autumn, minor leaks can become more noticeable, so let us know if you have had consistently low pressure or tyres that need frequent top-ups.

Check Tread Depth

As roads become wetter in autumn, tyre tread plays a crucial role in maintaining grip. Tyres rely on their grooves to channel water away from the contact patch, helping prevent hydroplaning. If your tread is worn down, this ability is significantly hindered.

In Australia, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.5mm, but for safer wet-weather driving, it’s recommended to replace tyres when they reach approximately 3 mm of tread depth.

Consider a Tyre Rotation

It’s important to periodically rotate tyres (move them into different positions on the vehicle, so that there is consistent wear across all four tyres). Consistent wear improves handling and performance, and extends tyre life. Autumn is a great time to tick a tyre rotation off the ‘To Do’ list.

Check Wheel Alignment

If your car pulls to one side or your tyres are wearing unevenly, it may signal that your vehicle’s wheels are poorly aligned. We can identify the signs that your wheels need to be realigned.

FAQs

Does tyre pressure drop in cold weather in Australia?

Yes, no matter where you are in the world, a drop in ambient temperature will result in car tyre pressure falling, as the air within the tyres contracts.

How much PSI do tyres lose when the temperature drops?

Expect a drop of between 1-2 PSI for every 10-degree temperature drop. To account for this, check your tyre pressure with significant temperature drops, and top up.

How to check tyre pressure?

The easiest way is to go to your local service station and use the tyre gauge there ( you might have to queue up). Note, styles of pressure gauge may differ depending on the service station you go to. Some are automated and others are manual. The automated gauges tend to be a little easier to use.

To get the most accurate reading, check the tyre pressure when cold. This is usually first thing in the morning. However, if you are checking them after you’ve already been driving for a little while, add 2 PSI over the recommended amount to compensate for heat.

How do you adjust tyre pressure?

1. Remove the valve cap from the tyre (pop it in your pocket for safety)
2. Go to the pressure gauge, and select the Unit of Measurement, according to the recommended PSI for your car. Depending on your vehicle make, pressure will be displayed in either PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) or in kPa (Kilopascals).
3. Using the + or – buttons, set the pressure gauge to the PSI you need.
4. Attach the air-compressor nozzle onto the valve. The machine will add or draw air from the tyre, and beep when the desired PSI is achieved.
5. Replace the tyre valve cap, and move on to the remaining tyres.

Remember, front tyres generally require more air than rear tyres, as they carry the weight of the engine, although this may differ depending on the vehicle, and on whether or not you are carrying extra weight in the rear of your vehicle.

See advice on checking tyre pressure here: Tyre Pressure Guide: What PSI Should Your Car Tyres Be?)

Where do I find out the recommended tyre pressure for my car?

The recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle will be listed on your driver’s side door jamb, or in your vehicle owner’s manual. You can also find recommendations online. Adhere to these for standard driving needs.

If you’re planning to drive off-road or carry/tow heavy loads, you might need to adjust the pressure accordingly. Note that, front and rear tyres usually have different air pressure requirements.

Still unsure about the right pressure for your car? Jim’s Mobile Tyre pressure checks are a good solution, as we can recommend the right pressure according to your vehicle, load requirements, and where you drive.

Do you need to check tyre pressure on a spare tyre?

Yes. Spare tyres also need to be checked every 3-6 months. At the start of Autumn and at the start of winter are both ideal times, but at the very least, check them at the beginning of autumn. (If you haven’t already, now’s a good time!).

Is 40 PSI too high?

It depends on your vehicle and tyres. 40 PSI can be ok if:

• You’re driving a ute, SUV or heavily loaded car. Recommended tyre pressures sit in the 38-42 PSI range in these circumstances.

• The manufacturer recommends this PSI.

It may be too high, however, for standard passenger cars. They tend to have PSI in the 32-36 range.

What happens if I exceed the recommended PSI?

You may experience a poor quality of ride due to uneven tyre wear. Safety on the road can also be compromised, due to uneven tread wear that causes reduced road grip, and longer braking distance on wet roads.

What are the signs of under and over inflation?

Underinflation signs:

• A sluggish or unstable drive, especially at higher speeds.

• Fuel is disappearing more quickly than usual

• Tyres are visibly sagging

• Steering feels heavier or less responsive

• Wear appears on the outer edges of the tyres

• Reduced braking performance, especially in wet conditions.

• The TPMS warning light flashes up on your dashboard (this looks like a horse shoe with an exclamation mark inside).

Overinflation signs:

• Poor traction, particularly when driving in wet conditions

• Vehicle feels “bouncy” when driving on uneven road surfaces, and you have a harsher, bumpier ride on standard roads

• Reduced grip when braking or cornering

• Tyres show more wear in the centre of the tread.