Can You Still Drive with Abnormal Tire Pressure?
2 Answers
When the tire pressure of a car is abnormal, the tire pressure warning light will illuminate. If the tire pressure warning light comes on while driving, it is best to reduce speed and stop in a safe place to check the tires. The details are as follows: 1. After the tire pressure light alarms, check whether the tire pressure of all four tires is normal. If not, after identifying the cause, you need to reset it. The switch is located in front of the gear lever. With the key turned on or in idle state, press and hold for 3 seconds. The instrument indicator light will flash once with a "ding" sound, indicating that initialization is complete. 2. The tire pressure monitoring system detects air pressure by measuring the wheel circumference through ABS sensors. After resetting the tires, the system requires driving at least 15-20 kilometers to function properly. If a tire is leaking, it may lose all air in less than 1 kilometer. In this case, the tire pressure monitoring may not alarm immediately; it will only alarm after driving about 20 kilometers. Therefore, this alarm signal is not direct but an indirect warning device. It is always advisable to observe the tires regularly yourself.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've encountered numerous tire pressure issues and strongly advise against continuing to drive under such conditions. If the tire pressure is too low, the tires are prone to deformation and overheating, posing the greatest risk on highways, potentially leading to blowouts and accidents. Conversely, if the pressure is too high, braking distances increase and handling becomes unstable. I once witnessed a friend stubbornly driving with low tire pressure, only to end up stranded halfway with completely ruined tires. Common causes include tire leaks, significant temperature fluctuations, or aging valve stems. The solution is straightforward: pull over to inspect, use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure, and refill air according to the recommended values on the door jamb; if tools are unavailable, visit a repair shop or call for roadside assistance. Make it a habit to check tire pressure monthly, adjusting for temperature drops in summer and topping up in winter, which saves fuel and extends tire life. Safe driving is paramount—it's always better to spare a little time than to take unnecessary risks.
