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Cold weather affecting PSI

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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 09:47 AM
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Default Cold weather affecting PSI

Yesterday the temp here in VA dipped to 25 degrees and when I started my car the low PSI warning went off. All four tires fell to 29 PSI and eventually rised to 32 PSI after reaching operating temp. Before the termperature dip the tires had a PSI of 36 at operating temp. Anyone else experince this?
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 09:52 AM
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Yes it happens everywhere it gets cold!!!!
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:09 AM
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I've never had TMPS sensors on my tires so just asking
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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One way that you can avoid the temperature effect on your tire pressure is to make the switch to Nitrogen. Because it is "dry", it doesn't suffer the wide range of expansion and contraction from a large temperature delta that regular, humid air does.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:28 AM
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On mines I just air it up a few psi over around 38, when it's cold it'll run around 35.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 10:36 AM
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Thank you all for the info!
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by gmueip
Anyone else experince this?
Yes. Jacques Charles discovered this about 1787.

The formula for the law is:

v/t=k

where:
V is the volume of the gas
T is the temperature of the gas (measured in Kelvin)
k is a constant.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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^ ahahah !!! hahaha !!!

DAVE YOU DA MAN !!! this forum would not be the same without you !
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:18 PM
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Actually, the PV=nRT equation is the one that comes into play here. P = (nR/V)T tells you that pressure varies directly with temperature assuming that the volume (V) and number of molecules of the gas (n) are the same.

V/T=k make the assumption that pressure is constant which is obviously not the case as the OP observed.
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:23 PM
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yup snowin in washington and happend to me. i freaked out cause i didn't know that light was, but i saw psi blinkin and that calmed me down haha
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 12:51 PM
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As Dave mentions, you can mitigate psi variations by filling with nitrogen. The benefit nitrogen provides is arguable, but I notice a difference. I’m in a much colder climate than you. Winter temperatures fluctuate greatly in Minnesota, going from freezing to -25 Fahrenheit.

I’ve also notice that it is easier to maintain psi within the correct range when running 17” wheels vs. lower profile tires on 18” wheels. Again, I’m in a very cold climate.

My tire guy makes another point about nitrogen. He says that nitrogen maintains a drier environment inside the tire that prevents condensation on the inside part of the wheel. I have no idea if that is true, but if so, that is certainly another reason to fill with nitrogen.

--Spike
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 01:55 PM
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I think Seinfeld had an episode about it. Something about "shrinkage".
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 02:01 PM
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someone didn't take chemistry
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by gmueip
Anyone else experince this?
You should probably learn this in 11th or 12th grade. Are you a 16 year old sophomore, and you parents bought you a Z?
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Old Dec 24, 2008 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by davidv
Yes. Jacques Charles discovered this about 1787.

The formula for the law is:

v/t=k

where:
V is the volume of the gas
T is the temperature of the gas (measured in Kelvin)
k is a constant.
hahaha.. classic.

i take it the OP failed Chemistry?
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by DavesZ#3
Actually, the PV=nRT equation is the one that comes into play here. P = (nR/V)T tells you that pressure varies directly with temperature assuming that the volume (V) and number of molecules of the gas (n) are the same.

V/T=k make the assumption that pressure is constant which is obviously not the case as the OP observed.
Yes, this is the correct formula.+1
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 02:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Chebosto
hahaha.. classic.

i take it the OP failed Chemistry?
actually, he failed to use the search and read the numerous other threads that cover the same subject
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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I started a thread in my350Z.com without doing a search. I will take full responsibility for the ensuing flaming

I figured it was due to the low ambient temperature but since it didn't happen to me last winter, I decided to seek advice on the forum.

And to make the forum correctness ***** happy: what's the best C.A.I for the Z?
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 04:35 AM
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Originally Posted by gmueip
And to make the forum correctness ***** happy: what's the best C.A.I for the Z?
Oh, that's easy. The one that lets the most air through without allowing it to heat up much while having a filter that doesn't clog easily or be in a position to allow the ingestion of water. It also helps if it looks good.
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