Can You Still Drive with Low Tire Pressure Displayed?
3 Answers
Tires with low pressure should not be driven on and need to be inflated promptly. Low tire pressure increases the contact area between the tire and the ground, making the steering wheel heavier and affecting driving performance. It also causes the tires to overheat easily, increasing the risk of a blowout. Additionally, low pressure expands the tire body, leading to cracks on the inner and outer sides of the tire, and accelerates rubber aging. Hazards of low tire pressure: Increases friction with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; increases factors detrimental to driving safety, such as tendency to veer off course; amplifies movement in various parts of the tire, causing excessive rolling and abnormal heat generation; weakens the functionality of the cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, excessive friction with the rim, and damage to the bead area, resulting in abnormal wear. Friction between the tire and the ground multiplies, causing a sharp rise in tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving under such conditions may lead to a blowout; increases tire body deformation, making the tire sidewalls prone to cracks, while inducing flexing movements that generate excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, fatigue in the cord layers, and cord breakage. It also enlarges the tire's contact area with the ground, hastening wear on the tire shoulders.
Yesterday, I just started a long-distance trip when the tire pressure warning light came on, making me really nervous. Driving with low tire pressure is no joke. The increased contact area with the ground leads to more friction, and if you're not careful, the tires can overheat and even blow out on the highway—that's way too dangerous. I recommend finding a safe place to pull over immediately, turning off the engine, and carefully checking the tires for punctures or leaks. If you have a portable air pump, try topping up the air first. If you can't fix it, then slowly drive at 40 km/h to the nearest repair shop. Make it a habit to check your tire pressure every month to avoid such incidents. Low tire pressure not only wastes fuel but also causes uneven wear on the tire edges and damages the rims—repair costs will hurt your wallet. Car safety comes first; don't gamble with your life. Stop when you need to and let professionals handle it—that's the most reliable approach.
Last time when I was driving to work, the tire pressure warning light flashed and I immediately knew something was wrong. I pulled into a gas station along the way and used their air pump to check the pressure. The left rear tire was only at 1.4 bar, clearly indicating a leak. Low tire pressure makes the steering unstable while driving, worsens handling, and makes the car prone to drifting during turns. Prolonged driving like this accelerates tire wear and can even damage the wheel rim structure. I had to slowly crawl to the repair shop at under 50 km/h. For daily commuting, it's best to keep a small tire pressure gauge handy or download an app to connect with the vehicle's monitoring system. If an alarm goes off, don't push your luck—check the valve stem for looseness or aging. Regular tire pressure checks save both hassle and money, avoiding major repairs.
