Can You Continue Driving When the Tire Pressure is Low on the Highway?
3 Answers
When the tire pressure is shown to be low on the highway, you should not continue driving. You need to find an exit or service area to inflate and check the tire pressure, and perform tire repairs if necessary. Reference standards for adjusting tire pressure: According to the international GBT2978-2008 standard, the standard tire pressure is approximately 2.4-2.5bar for standard tires and 2.8-2.9bar for reinforced tires. On roads with significant bumps, it is appropriate to reduce the tire pressure by 0.1-0.2bar below the standard tire pressure. For long-distance highway driving, the tire pressure should not be too low; it is advisable to increase the tire pressure by about 0.2bar above the lower limit of the standard tire pressure. Effects of low tire pressure: It can cause the friction between the tire and the ground to multiply, leading to a sharp rise in tire temperature, softening of the tire, and a significant drop in strength. When driving at high speeds, this may result in a tire blowout. It can also increase tire deformation, making the sidewalls prone to cracking and generating flexing movements, which leads to excessive heat, accelerates rubber aging, causes fatigue in the cord layers, and may break the cords. Additionally, it increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating wear on the tire shoulders.
I was really startled when the tire pressure warning light came on as I just got onto the highway. I immediately slowed down to below 80 km/h, turned on the hazard lights, and pulled over to check. Low tire pressure can cause tire deformation and overheating, which may lead to a blowout due to high-speed friction—it's extremely dangerous. That time, I found a nail puncture causing air leakage, so I used my portable air pump to inflate the tire and barely made it to the service station. It's advisable to develop the habit of checking tire pressure weekly when the tires are cold; the standard value is usually around 2.3-2.5 bar. On the highway, where speeds are high, don't push your luck if the warning light comes on—handle the situation safely first before continuing your journey. Preventing tire blowouts is the most important thing.
As a novice driver, I panicked when I saw the tire pressure warning on the highway last time. The car felt unstable and the steering wheel was floating, only then did I realize that low tire pressure increases friction heat and may cause a blowout. I immediately slowed down and pulled over to the right, called for help, and found it was a minor leak. After inflating, I drove slowly. This lesson taught me: don't be lazy about checking tire pressure before setting off, and keep a portable tire pressure gauge in the car for emergencies. Reaction time is short on the highway, safety comes first, don't push through.
