At what tire pressure level is it unsafe to drive?
2 Answers
Standard car tires should not be driven if the pressure falls below 2.0 bar. According to the international GBT2978-2008 standard, the recommended tire pressure for standard tires is 2.4-2.5 bar. In winter, tire pressure should be slightly increased by about 0.2 bar based on the standard tire pressure. In summer, the lower limit of the standard tire pressure is generally sufficient, such as 2.4 bar for standard tires. If the car is often parked outdoors, the tire pressure can be slightly lower than the standard by about 0.1 bar to prevent blowouts due to high temperatures. Solutions for insufficient tire pressure: If no damage is visible, simply inflate the tire to the normal pressure and reset the tire pressure monitoring system. If a puncture is found during inspection, drive to a tire repair shop promptly for a patch and then reinflate the tire. If the tire pressure warning reappears some time after inflation without any visible puncture, it may be due to air leakage caused by a deformed wheel rim. It is recommended to inspect the wheel rim and replace it if necessary.
As a veteran driver with over 30 years of experience, I've learned from experience that you shouldn't continue driving when tire pressure falls below 20 psi. One winter morning, I forgot to check and the pressure was around 18 psi. Shortly after driving, the steering wheel started shaking violently, the car became unstable, and I nearly had an accident. Below this pressure, tire deformation becomes too severe, significantly increasing the risk of a blowout and affecting braking distance—especially dangerous at high speeds. Now I've developed the habit of checking with a pressure gauge every week to ensure it's within the manufacturer's recommended range, around 30 to 35 psi for optimal safety. If I notice a tire looking particularly flat and definitely below 20 psi, I pull over immediately to inflate it or call for assistance. Don't cut corners—safety comes first. Regular maintenance can save you a lot of trouble and repair costs, as a single blowout incident could end up being much more expensive to fix.
