At what tire pressure should a car not be driven?
3 Answers
When the car's tire pressure is below 1.5 bar, it should not be driven. Generally, the normal tire pressure for a passenger car is between 2.1 and 2.8 bar. Low tire pressure increases tire body deformation, easily causing cracks on the tire side and generating flexing motion, leading to excessive heat, promoting rubber aging, fatigue of the cord layer, and cord breakage. It also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear. High tire pressure causes excessive stretching and deformation of the tire cords, reducing the tire body's elasticity and increasing the load on the car while driving. In case of impact, it may lead to internal cracks and blowouts. Additionally, high tire pressure accelerates tread wear and reduces puncture resistance.
I've been driving for over 20 years. I remember one time when the tire pressure dropped to 18 psi without me noticing, and the steering became unstable on the highway—I almost hit the guardrail. Luckily, I stopped in time. Since then, I’ve learned that if the tire pressure falls 20% below the manufacturer’s recommended value, it’s unsafe to drive. For example, if the door label says 30 psi, you should take action once it drops below 24 psi. Long-term underinflation can lead to blowouts because the tire sidewalls flex excessively, generating heat and increasing the risk of rupture, especially at high speeds. I always recommend keeping a portable tire pressure gauge handy and checking once a month—if the pressure is 10% below normal, top it up. Safety comes first, so don’t skip those few minutes of inspection. Recently, I heard that low tire pressure also increases fuel consumption—from my experience, it can cost an extra 3% in gas money. Once you make it a habit, your car runs smoother, and you’ll feel much more at ease.
As a young car owner, I once ignored the tire pressure warning light, and when driving in the city, the pressure dropped to 22 psi, causing noticeable vehicle jolting. After consulting a mechanic, I learned that it's generally dangerous when the pressure falls 25% below the recommended value or drops below 18 psi. For instance, my car's recommended pressure is 30 psi. Driving below 22 psi is risky even for short distances, and below 15-18 psi is absolutely unsafe, significantly increasing the risk of a tire blowout. Now, I use a mobile app to monitor tire pressure, which alerts me when it's low, making it worry-free. Additionally, low tire pressure accelerates tire wear—just one drive can reduce tire lifespan by 15% and unnecessarily increase fuel consumption. Checking tire pressure monthly is an easy routine to prevent small issues from turning into big problems. Since adopting this habit, my car's condition has been more stable and easier to manage.
