Is a tire pressure of 1.6 a sign of air leakage?
2 Answers
A tire pressure of 1.6 indicates air leakage, which requires immediate attention and repair. It is recommended to drive at a moderate speed, maintaining a steady pace, and proceed to an auto repair shop for servicing. The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure typically ranges between 2.2-2.5 bar. The hazards of low tire pressure are as follows: Increased friction between the tire and the ground: The tire temperature rises sharply, causing the tire to soften and its strength to decrease rapidly. Driving at high speeds under such conditions may lead to a tire blowout. Accelerated shoulder wear: Low tire pressure increases tire deformation, making the tire sidewalls more prone to cracking. It also induces flexing movements, leading to excessive heat generation, which accelerates rubber aging, fatigue in the cord layers, and cord breakage. Additionally, it enlarges the tire's contact area with the ground, hastening shoulder wear.
I encountered a similar situation last winter with tire pressure at just 1.6 bar, which was significantly low. For regular passenger cars, the proper tire pressure should be between 2.2 and 2.5 bar - 1.6 is already below the safety threshold. In my case, I found a screw puncturing the tire causing a slow leak that dropped pressure by 0.8 over three days. My advice: pull over immediately to visually inspect the tire sidewalls for bulges or cracks, and check if the wheel rim feels abnormally hot. If your spare tire has sufficient pressure, install it temporarily. Without a spare, call for roadside assistance. Never force the drive - I once continued driving with low pressure and ended up with a warped wheel rim that cost over 800 yuan to repair.
