Is it serious if the tire pressure is below 230?
3 Answers
A car tire pressure of 220 is abnormal. Under normal circumstances, the tire pressure of a car should be between 230 and 250. Below 230 is considered low tire pressure. If it is too low, the weight of the vehicle body plus the passengers and items inside the car will make the car run a bit slower, and prolonged driving under such conditions can also cause tire damage. Excessive tire pressure can lead to tire blowouts. Below are some related details: 1. Precautions: Tire pressure should neither be too high nor too low, as both can negatively affect driving safety and tire lifespan. 2. Hazards of excessive tire pressure: When the tire pressure is too high, the rigidity of the tire increases, and the tire deformation and contact area decrease, which can easily accelerate wear on the central part of the tire tread and reduce the tire's service life. Moreover, excessive tire pressure makes the tire very hard, affecting ride comfort. Additionally, excessive tire pressure reduces the tire's resistance to punctures, making it more prone to blowouts when encountering sharp objects.
Last time when my tire pressure dropped to 220, I felt the steering became noticeably heavier. Pressure below 230 may increase the tire contact patch, leading to uneven tire wear. In winter, for every 10-degree temperature drop, tire pressure decreases by about 10kPa, while in summer, tire pressure actually rises during highway driving. Actually, standard tire pressure varies for each vehicle - the sticker on my own car's door frame states 240 for cold tires. Long-term underinflation increases fuel consumption and makes tire sidewalls prone to cracking. But don't rush to inflate - only cold tire measurements taken before morning driving are accurate, as sun-exposed tires will read at least 20 higher. If the pressure is significantly low without finding any leaks, it might indicate wheel rim deformation or aging valve stems, requiring careful inspection at a repair shop.
Last time I got a tire repair, the mechanic said it's dangerous if the tire pressure is 30 below the standard value. 230 is actually close to the recommended value for many SUVs, but sedans often require 240 or higher. I prefer using a digital tire pressure gauge because analog ones are easy to misread. Driving with low pressure feels like the tires are sinking into mud, not only consuming more fuel but also accelerating wear on both sides of the tread. Remember to get a wheel balance after the repair, otherwise the steering wheel will shake badly at 120 km/h. The nitrogen inflator newly installed at the tire shop is great—stable gas and less prone to leaks. Don’t cheap out and use the air pumps at car washes; too much moisture can corrode the rims.
