Can You Continue Driving with a Tire Pressure of 1.2?
2 Answers
A tire pressure of 1.2 bar is not suitable for normal driving. Vehicles are usually equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, which typically triggers an alarm when the tire pressure drops below 1.5 bar. Hazards of Low Tire Pressure: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Causes the steering wheel to feel heavy and may lead to drifting, posing safety risks; Increases the movement of various parts of the tire, causing excessive rolling and abnormal heat generation; Reduces the functionality of the cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, as well as excessive friction between the tire and the rim, damaging the bead area and causing abnormal wear; Multiplies the friction between the tire and the ground, sharply increasing tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may result in a blowout; Increases tire deformation, making the sidewalls prone to cracking. It also induces flexing movements, leading to excessive heat, rubber aging, fatigue in the cord layers, cord breakage, and enlarges the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear. Solutions for Insufficient Tire Pressure: If no damage is visible, simply inflate the tire to the normal pressure and reset the tire pressure system; If a puncture is found during inspection, drive to a tire repair shop promptly for a patch and reinflation; If the tire pressure warning reappears after inflation without any visible puncture, it may be due to air leakage caused by a deformed rim. It is recommended to inspect and replace the rim if necessary.
A tire pressure of only 1.2 is absolutely not safe to drive with—this is the lesson I’ve learned from over a decade of driving. Normally, the tire pressure for passenger cars should be between 2.0 and 2.5. At 1.2, the pressure is way too low, the tire is half-flat, and severe deformation occurs while driving, which even affects braking. Especially on highways, hitting a pothole or taking a sharp turn could easily lead to a blowout or even a rollover. Once, I forgot to check the tire pressure before a long trip, and when it dropped to just 1.5, I felt the car shaking badly. Thankfully, I stopped in time—otherwise, it could have been disastrous. Now, I always carry a spare tire and an air pump in my car, and I check the tire pressure with a gauge before every trip. My advice is to pull over immediately if you notice low tire pressure, turn off the engine, inspect the tire for punctures, or head to the nearest repair shop to refill it. Safe driving is more important than anything else. Driving recklessly can damage the tires, cost hundreds in repairs, and endanger yourself and others.
