Short Answer
Cold Inflation Pressure is the tire pressure measured when the tire is at ambient temperature and has not been recently driven. It is the reference pressure used for all manufacturer tire specifications.
Detailed Explanation
What makes a tire “cold”
A tire is considered cold when the air inside the tire is at the same temperature as the surrounding ambient air.
In practical terms, this means:
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The vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours without direct sunlight on the tires.
Under these conditions, pressure readings reflect true Cold Inflation Pressure.
Why it matters
Tire pressure changes with temperature.
When a vehicle is driven:
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Tire flexing generates heat
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Internal air temperature increases
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Measured pressure increases
For this reason:
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Manufacturer recommended pressures are always specified as Cold Inflation Pressure
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Pressure adjustments must be made when the tire is cold
Setting pressure while warm will result in an improperly inflated tire.
Relation to the Halo system
Halo maintains the tire at its configured target pressure, which should match the manufacturer recommended Cold Inflation Pressure.
Pressure monitoring and alerts are calculated relative to this configured value.