Does having different tire pressures in all 4 tires affect driving?
2 Answers
Having different tire pressures in all 4 tires does affect driving. The reasons and solutions are as follows: Reasons: If you notice a significant difference in tire pressure, you must immediately take measures to adjust the tire pressure. This is because excessive deviation in tire pressure will cause varying driving resistance among the tires, especially when the pressures on both sides of the same axle differ. This can lead to the vehicle pulling to one side while driving, compromising driving safety. Solutions: If all tires are in good condition, you can go to a tire repair shop for inflation or inflate them yourself. First, ensure the tire pressure is within the safe load-bearing range before inflating. Generally, passenger car tire pressures range from 2.5 to 3.8 bar. Therefore, the specific pressure depends on the vehicle type, but typically inflating all four tires to 2.5 bar is sufficient.
From a driving safety perspective, uneven tire pressure definitely has negative effects. I personally experienced a dangerous near-skid situation due to this issue. Uneven air pressure causes unbalanced force distribution across all four wheels, making the vehicle unstable during driving - especially noticeable when turning, as steering responsiveness decreases significantly and the wheel feels floaty, greatly reducing stability. Moreover, braking distance increases; for instance during emergency deceleration on highways, the car may struggle to stop steadily. Risks multiply when driving on wet rainy roads. Long-term uneven pressure leads to irregular tire wear patterns, with one side wearing faster, necessitating premature replacement - not just wasting money but also affecting the overall suspension system. It's recommended to check all tires monthly using a simple pressure gauge, ensuring uniform pressure according to manufacturer specifications. This practice saves both hassle and expenses.
