Can You Still Drive with 150 kPa Tire Pressure?
3 Answers
Tire pressure of 150 kPa is too low to continue driving. When tire pressure is low, the contact area with the ground increases, generating significantly more heat from rolling compared to standard tire pressure. Hazards of Low Tire Pressure: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Causes heavy steering and potential misalignment, compromising driving safety; Increases movement in various parts of the tire, causing abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; Reduces the functionality of the cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, damaging the tire bead area and causing abnormal wear; Multiplies friction with the ground, rapidly raising tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may result in a blowout; Increases tire body deformation, making the sidewalls prone to cracks, generating flexing motion, leading to excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, while also enlarging the tire's contact area and accelerating shoulder wear. Solutions for Insufficient Tire Pressure: If no damage is visible, simply inflate to normal pressure and reset the tire pressure system; If a puncture is found during inspection, promptly drive to a tire shop for repair and reinflation; If the tire pressure warning reappears after inflation without any puncture, it may indicate air leakage due to a deformed wheel rim. Check the rim and replace if necessary.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I can tell you that driving with 150 tire pressure is absolutely unacceptable. The standard tire pressure for most passenger cars is around 220, and 150 is almost below the minimum threshold. Driving with such flat tires not only significantly increases fuel consumption but also makes the steering wheel extremely heavy, and you'll feel the car body floating during turns. The most dangerous part is the excessive deformation of the tire sidewalls - prolonged driving under these conditions could lead to a blowout at any moment. I once stubbornly continued driving to save time, only to have the rim completely worn out, costing me over a thousand extra for tire replacement. If you see one of those electric air pumps by the roadside, stop immediately and inflate to 220 before continuing - that's the safe way to go.
Driving with tires this flat is literally playing with your life. A pressure of 150 is nearly half the normal value, making the car feel like it's rolling on four deflated balls. Even small potholes cause severe jolts that can damage the shock absorbers, leading to costly repairs. Tire wear becomes extremely uneven, with the shoulder areas wearing out fastest. Running consistently underinflated can ruin a new tire in just 5,000 kilometers while increasing fuel consumption by 20%. Just stop by a gas station or repair shop to inflate them - bringing the pressure up to around 230 is the safest bet.
