No, you should not drive a car with a low tire. While it might be tempting to just "make it to the shop," driving on an under-inflated tire is dangerous. It significantly increases the risk of a blowout, reduces your vehicle's stability and braking ability, and can cause internal damage to the tire itself, leading to a costly replacement. The only exception is if you are driving at a very low speed for a very short distance to reach a safe location to change the tire or inflate it.
The primary danger is heat buildup. When a tire is low on air, the sidewall flexes excessively. This constant bending generates intense heat, which can weaken the tire's internal structure (the steel and fabric cords) and lead to a sudden tread separation or blowout, especially at highway speeds. This isn't just a flat tire; it's a catastrophic failure that can cause a loss of control.
Beyond safety, driving on a low tire damages the tire and hurts your wallet. The excessive flexing wears out the sidewalls from the inside. It also causes uneven tread wear, particularly on the outer edges, meaning you'll need to replace the tires much sooner. Furthermore, a soft tire has a larger contact patch with the road, which increases rolling resistance. This forces your engine to work harder, directly reducing your fuel efficiency.
Modern cars are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). When the warning light (which looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point) illuminates on your dashboard, it's an alert that at least one tire is significantly under-inflated, typically 25% below the recommended pressure. You should check your tires as soon as it's safe to do so.
| Tire Pressure Scenario | Recommended Action | Primary Risk |
|---|
| TPMS light is solid (not flashing) | Reduce speed, avoid sharp turns, drive directly to nearest air pump or safe location to check/inflate. | Accelerated tire wear, reduced fuel economy. |
| Tire is visibly flat or very low | Do not drive. Use a portable compressor or call for roadside assistance. | Severe internal damage to tire and possibly the wheel rim. |
| You experience vibration or pulling | Pull over safely and inspect the tires. Driving further is not advised. | Potential for blowout, damage to suspension components. |
| After hitting a pothole or curb | Stop and check for visible damage like a bulge in the sidewall. Do not drive on a damaged tire. | Immediate blowout risk due to compromised sidewall integrity. |
| Low pressure in winter conditions | Inflate to vehicle's recommended PSI (found on driver's door jamb sticker). Do not over-inflate. | Reduced traction and control on snowy or icy roads. |
The correct course of action is always to inflate the tire to the manufacturer's recommended PSI as soon as possible. If you cannot inflate it, the safest choice is to change to your spare tire or seek professional help.
