Low tire pressure light on? Where to get it checked and free air around Charlotte

Few things can trigger a headache faster than rushing out the door in the morning and hopping in the car only to have your low tire pressure light come on.

But it’s an occurrence that starts to happen more frequently as the weather begins to cool.

There’s a scientific reason why changes in temperature affect the air in your tires, experts say, and it’s an important issue to take care of quickly. In Charlotte, there are multiple places that will check your tire pressure and help you add air, often free of charge.

Here’s what to know about why weather affects air pressure and where you can get your tires taken care of for free in Charlotte:

Why does cold weather affect tire pressure?

When the weather starts to cool, your tire pressure can start to drop because the “molecules in the air move slower and huddle together,” Firestone Complete Auto Care explains.

It’s estimated that your tires can lose 1 to 2 pounds per square inch of pressure “for every 10-degree change in temperature.”

Your tire pressure “should bounce back after the cold spell passes,” Firestone adds, but “low tire pressure shouldn’t be ignored” because it can impact your car’s fuel efficiency and stopping time and decrease the lifespan of your tires.

Free tire pressure checks and air in Charlotte

If your low tire pressure light does come on, there are multiple businesses around Charlotte that will check your tire pressure and add air to your tires if needed. Some will even do so for free:

• Costco’s Tire Service Center has a self-service station you can pull up and use to check your tire pressure for free. You don’t have to have a Costco membership to use the self-service station.

• Discount Tire: This national chain, with multiple locations in the Charlotte area, offers free tire pressure checks and will add air to your tires if needed. You can simply pull in to locations or schedule an appointment ahead of time at discounttire.com/schedule-appointment.

• QuikTrip: The gas stations typically offer free air stations where you can fill up your own tires. You can search for local locations that offer free air at locations.quiktrip.com.

• Sam’s Club provides free tire pressure checks and inflation as needed to Sam’s Club members.