Is It Safe to Drive with Abnormal Tire Pressure?
2 Answers
If the tire pressure is abnormal, it is recommended not to continue driving and to stop for inspection. Hazards of Overinflated Tires: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; Causes steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; Accelerates uneven wear on the central tread pattern, shortening tire lifespan; Increases vehicle vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; Overstretches tire cords, reducing elasticity and increasing the load on the vehicle during driving; Decreases puncture resistance. When encountering sharp objects like nails or glass, they can easily penetrate the tire, causing internal cracks or blowouts. Hazards of Underinflated Tires: Increases friction with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Makes the steering wheel heavy and prone to deviation, compromising driving safety; Increases movement of tire components, causing excessive heat due to over-compression; Reduces the effectiveness of cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, damaging the bead area and causing abnormal wear; Multiplies friction between the tire and ground, rapidly increasing tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing strength. High-speed driving may result in a blowout; Increases tire deformation, leading to sidewall cracks and excessive heat from flexing, accelerating rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, while also enlarging the tire's contact area and accelerating shoulder wear.
Never drive with abnormal tire pressure! Both high and low tire pressure are dangerous. High tire pressure can cause a blowout, especially during high-speed driving or in hot weather, as the excessive pressure can lead to tire rupture. Low tire pressure causes faster tire deformation, severe edge wear, and also worsens handling, increases braking distance, and makes steering harder to control. I often remind my friends that checking tire pressure before setting off is a small task, but ignoring it can easily lead to accidents. Driving a short distance slowly with abnormal tire pressure might seem harmless, but the risk is too high: severe air leakage can flatten the tire, potentially causing a rollover and injuring yourself. Immediately pull over to a safe spot, use a tire pressure gauge to check, and adjust to the recommended value. The recommended pressure is usually found on the door frame or in the manual—following it makes driving much safer. Don’t risk it to save time; tire issues are a matter of life and death.
