Frickin' Cold Tires lol

[taurusffv]

Is it bad policy to put air in frostbit tires?

Which is worse, driving on frozen tires that are low, or trying to fill them with air at a time when the rubber/valve is no doubt dried hardened brittle?

[shorod]

Interesting question, I've never given that much thought.

I think the only risk you really have airing up a cold tire would be the risk of the Schrader valve seal in the valve stem not sealing either from being cold and tampered with or from moisture in the air freezing and getting between the core and the stem, then causing a bigger air leak.

The tires should be tested to much larger temperature extremes than we're experiencing in Iowa, and the sidewalls will flex anyway when driving, so airing them up shouldn't hurt them any more than driving on them would. But driving on a severely underinflated tire is hard on the tire, regardless of how cold (or hot) the ambient air is.

-Rod

[shorod]

Since this question impacts more than just the Taurus, I'd like to move this to the Engineering/Technical forum if you're okay with that.

Please let me know.

-Rod

[taurusffv]

Sounds good. It was a topic we were kicking around at work the other day so I thought I would ask.