At what tire pressure level should driving be avoided?
2 Answers
Tire pressure below 1.7 bar should not be driven on. Below is relevant information about tire pressure: 1. Introduction: Tire pressure, strictly speaking, refers to the air pressure inside a tire. In automotive maintenance, while the engine is considered the heart of a car (its failure would mean the end of the vehicle's life), tire pressure acts as the car's blood pressure. The level of tire pressure plays a crucial role in the vehicle's performance and power. 2. Methods of tire pressure monitoring: (1) Direct tire pressure monitoring: Direct tire pressure monitoring systems use pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure air pressure. Wireless transmitters send pressure data from inside the tire to a central receiver module, which then displays the pressure readings for each tire. The system automatically alerts when pressure is too low or if there's a leak. (2) Indirect tire pressure monitoring: Indirect systems work on the principle that when a tire's pressure decreases, the vehicle's weight causes that wheel's rolling radius to shrink, making it rotate faster than other wheels. By comparing rotational speed differences between tires, the system monitors pressure. Essentially, indirect TPMS calculates pressure by monitoring changes in tire rolling radius. (3) Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) overview: This hybrid system combines advantages of both methods. It installs direct sensors in two diagonally opposite tires while employing a 4-wheel indirect system. Compared to full direct systems, this composite approach reduces costs and overcomes the indirect system's inability to detect simultaneous underinflation in multiple tires. However, it still cannot provide real-time actual pressure data for all four tires like direct systems can.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've been through an accident caused by low tire pressure. That time, the pressure dropped to 22 PSI, and the tires overheated while driving on the highway, nearly causing a blowout—it was extremely dangerous. Generally, you shouldn't drive if the tire pressure is below 25 PSI because the increased contact area with the road leads to friction, heat buildup, deformation, and potential blowouts, while also affecting handling and making steering difficult. I recommend checking the tire pressure monthly with a gauge and maintaining it within the manufacturer's recommended range of 30-35 PSI. This helps prevent emergencies and saves you the cost of replacing tires. Tire pressure tends to drop with weather changes, especially in winter, so topping up the air beforehand is a good habit to ensure a safe journey.
