How High Altitude affects Tyre Pressure? Recommended Tyre Pressure

A road trip to a hill station is every biker’s dream for the splendid views of beautiful mountains and serpentine roads, and the scintillating sensations of wind on the skin it offers. Whether it is an expedition or a solo trip, the tyres of your vehicle are your consistent travel buddy. The ease of your journey depends on the state of the tyres.

As you ascend the hill station, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This change will affect your tyre pressure. If you are planning to take a jaunt to higher altitudes, you should be aware of how high altitude can affect tyre pressure, and what precautions you should take care for a seamless travel experience.

Atmospheric Pressure & Altitude

Atmospheric pressure, also known as barometric pressure, is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere. The invisible air molecules around you have weight and occupy space. The atmospheric pressure is the highest at sea level and decreases as the altitude increases.

For instance, atmospheric pressure exerting on 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) at sea level drops to 10.1 pounds per square inch (psi) at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Observe how air pressure varies with change in altitude in the following chart.

Atmospheric Pressure & Pressure Gauge

Often times people mistake atmospheric pressure for gauge pressure. The two pressures are completely different. If you remove the core from a tyre valve and let the air out of the tyre, the pressure gauge will show 0 psi. But the tyre is still under an atmospheric pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi). Here, the pressure inside and outside the tyre reaches equilibrium, that is, the pressure inside the tyre is equal to the pressure outside the tyre.In short, the flow of pressure on the tyre is the difference in air pressure on the tyre.

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How Tyres Withstand The Tyre Pressure On High Altitude?

The pressure inside a tyre and the atmospheric pressure are separated when the tyres are placed inside the wheels of a bike. This further establishes a flexible airtight pressure chamber where the tyre is shaped and stiffened. Change in altitude does not alter the amount of air a tyre retains. But the air inside a tyre exerts more force due to the change in atmospheric pressure.

If you measure tyre pressure with a gauge at sea level and then at higher altitudes, you will observe the increase in tyre pressure. Also, if you set the tyre pressure at high altitude, then the tyre pressure reading will decrease at sea level.

Other Factors Affecting Tyre Pressure

Besides the altitude, ambient temperature also affects the tyre pressure. For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the tyre pressure changes by about 1 psi. The hot ambient temperature increases the tyre pressure and the cold ambient temperature reduces it. An increase in temperature can lead to tyre overinflation, due to high pressure exerted by the expansion of air in the tyres. At cold temperatures, the air pressure in the correctly inflated tyres reduces.

Normal Tyre Pressure

The normal tyre pressure depends on the size and weight of your vehicle. You should read the vehicle manual to understand the standard tyre pressure for your vehicle. Keep the standard values in mind whenever you are travelling to a location where temperature and altitude changes affect the tyre pressure. The above information will help you understand how tyre pressure varies with altitude and other factors.

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How To Manage The Tyre Pressure On High Altitude

If you are peripatetic, i.e., one who loves to explore the world on roads (yes, there is a word for that!), then you should know how to fix the tyres of your vehicle. For this, you should carry a tool kit with you on your road trips. Regularly check the tyre pressure. Use tools to add or release the tyre pressure, when needed. Have a gauge with you at all times, so that you can measure the tyre pressure as you ascend hill stations and other settings. Tyre gauges come in both analog and digital forms. An analog gauge displays the result on a pop-out ruler, whereas the digital one will show the result on a screen. To measure the tyre pressure, place the nozzle-end of the gauge on the valve stem of the tyre. Check if the nozzle is rightly inserted in the tyre. If you can hear the air, it means you did not insert the nozzle properly. Tighten the nozzle into the tyre valve until you no longer hear air ejecting from the tyre.

You can install a tyre pressure monitoring system inside the pneumatic tyres of your vehicle. It gives real-time information on the tyre pressure of your vehicle. With this, you can easily vary the tyre pressure on the go as the altitude changes.

Examine the tyre of your vehicle. You can find the proper tyre pressure written on the sidewall of the tyre. This texted print will help you understand the MAX PSI (maximum tyre pressure) of your tyre.

As you ride or drive your vehicle to higher altitudes, the atmosphere offers to decrease resistance, which further increases the pressure inside the tyres. For the change in altitude, you need to adjust the tyre pressure accordingly. Add air when tyre pressure reduces or release it when tyre pressure increases.

High altitude immensely affects tyre pressure. Keep a tool kit handy, regularly monitor the pressure with a gauge, add or release the air according to the gauge pressure. Improper tyre pressure will put brakes to your road journey. It will also cause wear and abrasion to your vehicle and its tyres. It can result in over- or under-inflation of tyres. Adjust your tyre pressure perfectly and ensure optimal tyre health.

To endure Indian roads, tyres should be strong and flexible. This information should help you take all the simple yet necessary precautions to protect yourself and your vehicle. Savour the scenic beauty the road trip has to offer, without having to worry about deflated tyres.