Is a tire pressure of 210 normal?

[MariaMarie]

Tire pressure of 210 is not normal, indicating significantly low pressure. It is recommended to first use a tire pressure gauge to check if the actual pressure is normal. If the pressure is normal, then the issue may lie with the tire pressure sensor. Generally, the tire pressure for small cars is around 220, while for SUVs it is around 230. Only under normal tire pressure can the vehicle ensure it does not deviate during driving, and each tire's suspension can maintain the same wear state. There are two types of tire pressure monitoring: direct and indirect. Direct tire pressure monitoring uses pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure the tire's air pressure. Indirect tire pressure monitoring relies on calculating the tire's rolling radius to monitor pressure when a tire's pressure decreases.

[DiMason]

This tire pressure of 210 kPa is indeed insufficient. Over the years of driving family cars, I've noticed most vehicle models have standard tire pressure ranging between 220 to 250 kPa listed on the door frame label. My SUV, for instance, maintains around 230 kPa year-round. When it once dropped to 210 kPa, I distinctly felt the steering wheel become heavier and the tires floating during turns. I promptly visited a repair shop where the owner explained that prolonged low-pressure driving severely damages tires—the excessive bending of rubber can cause internal cord fractures, rendering a several-hundred-dollar tire useless, which is a significant loss. More alarmingly, braking distance increases, making skidding more likely, especially in rainy conditions. He advised me to immediately find a nearby filling station to inflate the tires to at least 230 kPa and to check for any punctures or air leaks while at it.

[Summer]

A tire pressure of 210 kPa is too low. Last week, I accompanied a novice driver friend for maintenance, and his car's tire pressure showed 210. The mechanic shook his head after rechecking with a pressure gauge. According to general passenger car standards, the minimum cold tire pressure should be at least 220 kPa to be considered acceptable. When tire pressure is 15% below the standard value, the tire contact patch becomes an exaggerated arc shape, not only accelerating wear but also causing the tire sidewalls to fold repeatedly like paper during every turn. A more practical impact is the surge in fuel consumption—my friend's car saw a direct drop of 0.8 liters per 100 km after correcting the tire pressure. Now, every time I wash my car, I ask the staff to check the tire pressure, as it saves me dozens of yuan in fuel costs each month.

[MacMaci]

That definitely counts as low tire pressure. An experienced mechanic taught me a simple way to check: when pressure drops below 220 kPa, pressing the tire sidewall with your foot feels abnormally soft. Last time my car showed 210 kPa, I specifically tested it - after driving 2 km on level road when cold, all four wheel rims were hot to touch. This heat comes from tire deformation friction, which not only increases fuel consumption but accelerates aging. More critically, steering response becomes sluggish - lane changes at highway speeds feel like steering a boat. I immediately inflated to the manual-recommended 230 kPa at a gas station, and the steering noticeably lightened on the return trip. Recommend checking tire pressure at least monthly - keeping a basic $10 digital gauge in your glovebox makes it easy.