Can You Drive with Insufficient Tire Pressure?
2 Answers
You should not continue driving with insufficient tire pressure as it poses safety hazards. Here is some information about car tire pressure: 1. Effects: Low pressure increases tire body deformation, leading to cracks on the tire sidewalls. It also causes excessive flexing, overheating, rubber aging, fatigue in the cord layers, and cord breakage. Additionally, it increases the tire's contact area with the road, accelerating shoulder wear. 2. Hazards: (1) Increases the friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption. (2) Causes the steering wheel to feel heavy and makes the car prone to drifting, which are factors detrimental to driving safety. (3) Increases the movement of various parts of the tire, resulting in abnormal overheating due to excessive rolling.
I drove a taxi for several years, and I never dared to take tire pressure lightly. Low tire pressure causes the tires to flatten and deform, making the car feel sluggish and unstable when driving, with a higher risk of skidding during turns. It also increases fuel consumption—once I overlooked it, and my fuel efficiency dropped by 10%, costing me dozens more in gas per month. What’s even more dangerous is that prolonged high-speed driving can overheat the tires and lead to a blowout, especially on hot summer roads. I recommend finding a gas station to inflate them immediately. If the pressure is critically low, it’s best not to drive—stop and change to the spare tire or call a tow truck. Checking tire pressure is simple—use a tire pressure gauge or the car’s monitoring system. I make it a habit to check once a month to avoid trouble. Developing this habit keeps you safe and saves money.
