Tire pressure in cold weather: how much and when to check
Tire pressure drops when it gets cold, by roughly 0.1 bar for every 10 °C. So in winter check it at least once a month, with cold tires, and inflate to the vehicle manufacturer's values, which are on the sticker in the door frame, inside the fuel filler flap or in the handbook.
Why pressure drops in the cold
The air in a tire contracts as it cools. If you inflate your tires at 20 °C and it is 0 °C outside, the pressure will be about 0.2 bar lower. That is enough to make the tire wear more on the edges, use more fuel and grip less.
What the pressure should be
The exact value is specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle, not the tire. You will find it:
- on the sticker in the driver's door frame;
- on the inside of the fuel filler flap;
- in the vehicle handbook.
There are often separate values for a fully loaded vehicle.
How to check it properly
- Check with cold tires, before driving or after only a few minutes on the road. Warm tires show a higher pressure.
- Check at least once a month and before a long journey.
- Do not forget the spare.
Signs that something is wrong
If one tire keeps losing pressure, have it checked for a puncture or a faulty valve. A puncture in the tread can often be repaired with a plug; see the prices in the guide How much does a tire change cost in Skopje.
More on the winter season: Winter equipment in North Macedonia and winter tires with prices including VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Do tires need higher pressure in winter?
Not higher than specified, just the specified pressure, measured on cold tires. Because pressure drops in the cold, in winter you need to top up more often.
How often should I check the pressure?
At least once a month and before every long journey, with cold tires.
More guides
- Winter equipment in North Macedonia: when it is mandatory and what the law requires - In North Macedonia winter equipment is mandatory from 15 November to 15 March. Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes need winter tires on all four wheels with at least 4 mm of tread, or summer tires with at least 4 mm of tread plus chains for the drive wheels. The fine is the denar equivalent of 45 euros. This season it starts on 15 November 2026.
- M+S or 3PMSF: winter tire markings explained - M+S (mud and snow) means the tread is designed for mud and snow, but no test is required for the marking. A tire only gets the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) if it passes a standard snow test. In North Macedonia both markings count as winter tires.
- All-season or winter tires: which should you choose? - All-season tires marked M+S or with the mountain snowflake count as winter equipment in North Macedonia, as long as the tread is at least 4 mm. They are a good choice for city driving and mild winters without changing tires twice a year. For mountain roads and frequent snow, true winter tires grip better.
- How much does a tire change cost in Skopje? - At Ceres, fitting and removing one 15 or 16-inch tire costs 150 MKD and balancing 200 MKD, 1,400 MKD in total for four tires. For 13 and 14-inch tires the four cost 1,000 MKD, for 17 and 18-inch 1,800 MKD. Prices are per tire, from the October 2026 price list.