Checking tire pressure
Tire pressure decreases over time, which is normal. Tire pressure also varies depending on the ambient temperature. Driving on under-inflated tires could cause the vehicle to overheat and lead to damage. Tire pressure affects traveling comfort, road noise and driving characteristics.
Check the pressure in the tires every month. Use the recommended inflation pressure for cold tires to help maintain good tire performance. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires could cause uneven tread wear.
Use an air pressure gauge and check the inflation pressure on all the tires, including the spare tire1, at least once a month and before long trips. Volvo recommends buying a reliable air pressure gauge, as the automatic gauges provided at service stations may be inaccurate.
Warning
- Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure. This can result in severe tire cracking, tread separation, tire blow out or reduced control of the vehicle, which can lead to an increased risk of injury.
- Under-inflated tires reduce the load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
Cold tires
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold. The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as the surrounding (ambient) air. This temperature is normally reached after the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours.
After driving for approximately 1.6 km (1 mile), the tires are considered to be warm. If you have to drive farther than that to inflate the tire, check and record your inflation pressure first. Then fill to an appropriate inflation pressure when you arrive at the pump.
When the ambient temperature changes, so does the inflation pressure. A 10-degree temperature drop causes a corresponding drop in inflation pressure of 7 kPa (1 psi). Check the inflation pressure of the tires regularly and adjust to the correct pressure, which can be found on the vehicle's tire information decal or certification label.
If you check inflation pressure when the tires are warm, you should never release air. The tires become warm after driving and it is normal for warm tires to have an inflation pressure above the recommended pressure for cold tires. A warm tire with an inflation pressure equal to or under the recommended pressure for cold tires could be significantly under-inflated.