Is it safe to drive with a tire pressure of 184 kPa?
2 Answers
Tire pressure of 184 kPa is not recommended for driving. Low tire pressure increases the contact area between the tire and the ground, causing abnormal temperature rise inside the tire during driving. Additionally, severe deformation of the tire sidewall accelerates aging of internal steel wires and cord layers, increasing the risk of tire blowouts. It also leads to higher fuel consumption and reduced tire lifespan. Hazards of low tire pressure: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface, resulting in higher fuel consumption; Causes heavy steering and potential alignment issues, compromising driving safety; Excessive movement of tire components leads to abnormal heat generation due to over-compression; Reduced functionality of cord layers and rubber, potentially causing delamination, cord breakage, or excessive friction with the rim, leading to bead damage and abnormal wear; Exponentially increased friction with the ground causes rapid temperature rise, tire softening, and drastic reduction in strength. High-speed driving may result in tire blowouts; Increased tire body deformation leads to sidewall cracking and excessive flexing motion, causing overheating, rubber aging, cord layer fatigue, and cord breakage. It also enlarges the tire's contact area, accelerating shoulder wear.
A tire pressure of 184 kPa is indeed on the low side. I recall the standard cold tire pressure for most passenger cars is around 210 to 240 kPa. Converting 184 kPa to psi gives approximately 26.7, while the safe range is typically above 30 psi. Driving with this pressure can cause multiple issues: uneven tire wear, increased risk of sidewall deformation and blowouts, plus fuel consumption may spike by over 10%. I've driven vehicles under similar conditions – short low-speed trips might be manageable, but higher speeds lead to unstable handling, especially noticeable during cornering where the car feels floaty. I strongly recommend visiting a gas station or repair shop immediately to inflate the tires, while also checking the valve stems for leaks. Make it a habit to check tire pressure weekly – it's both cost-effective and peace of mind. Safety comes first; don't cut corners with this. An accident caused by negligence simply isn't worth the risk.
