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Why Cold Carolina Mornings Can Trigger Your Tire Warning

Panorama view tire pressure low indicator display on instrument panel of modern car minivan in Parking mode, tire pressure monitoring system TPMS indicates lights on driver information interface. USA
Trong Nguyen Photo/trongnguyen - stock.adobe.com
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1023030042
Panorama view tire pressure low indicator display on instrument panel of modern car minivan in Parking mode, tire pressure monitoring system TPMS indicates lights on driver information interface. USA

When colder air settles across South Carolina, drivers from the mountains to the coast may be noticing a familiar dashboard symbol — low tire pressure. But it’s not necessarily a leak. It’s physics!
South Carolina Public Media’s digital meteorologist Leslie Hudson explains.

Here's a check list of things you can do to make sure you don't get stuck.

  • Check tire pressure first thing in the morning when tires are cold.
  • Inflate tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (listed on the driver’s door jamb).
  • Don’t rely solely on tire pressure monitoring systems; they may not alert you until pressure is already too low.

Many tire shops will inflate your tires for free, including Discount Tire, Firestone Auto among others. You can find free compressed air to fill your tires at a few places like Lowe's and QuikTrip. Costco and Sam's Club offer tire filling stations for members.

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