How to Determine if a Tire is Underinflated?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a tire is underinflated include: 1. Visually inspect the four tires to see if any appear noticeably flat. 2. Use a tire pressure measurement device, such as a handheld tire pressure monitor or an onboard automatic tire pressure display, to accurately measure the tire pressure. 3. Install a tire pressure monitoring system to continuously monitor the tire pressure. Effects of underinflated tires: 1. Damage to the tire sidewalls and inner edges; 2. Foreign objects puncturing the tire; 3. Deformation of the wheel rim flange. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on metal rims, designed to support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, maintain contact with the road surface, and ensure the vehicle's driving performance.
When driving, if the steering wheel feels unusually heavy and requires more effort to turn than usual, it's time to suspect tire pressure. After parking, crouch down to inspect the tires. A properly inflated tire's tread pattern should fully contact the ground. If the outer side appears noticeably bulged or flattened, it's likely underinflated. The most straightforward method is to kick the tire a few times – a properly inflated tire will have some elastic rebound when kicked firmly, while a soft, non-responsive tire indicates low pressure. Long-term underinflation can also quietly increase fuel consumption. Last month, I spent an extra hundred bucks on gas because I neglected this. Make it a habit to walk around your car after parking – it allows you to check both tire condition and overall vehicle status, ensuring safety and saving money.
