What are the causes of excessive tire pressure?
2 Answers
The causes of excessive tire pressure are: 1. Over-inflation of the tire; 2. Incorrect wheel alignment of a certain wheel, leading to uneven tire wear and elevated temperature. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire, which is the 'blood pressure' of a car. The level of tire pressure plays a crucial role in the performance and power of the vehicle. Tire pressure is the lifeblood of a tire; both excessive and insufficient pressure can shorten the tire's lifespan. Insufficient tire pressure increases tire body deformation, easily causing cracks on the tire sidewalls, along with flexing movements that lead to excessive heat generation, promoting rubber aging, fatigue of the cord layer, and cord breakage. It also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating wear on the tire shoulders. Excessive tire pressure causes the tire cords to undergo excessive stretching deformation, reducing the tire body's elasticity and increasing the load the car bears while driving. In case of impact, it may lead to internal cracks and blowouts. Additionally, excessive pressure accelerates wear on the tire tread and reduces its resistance to being punctured.
Excessive tire pressure can stem from several common causes. First, when temperatures rise, the air inside the tires expands, especially during prolonged summer driving or on hot road surfaces, where heat buildup can cause tire pressure to spike. Second, overinflation—many people inadvertently exceed the recommended pressure (e.g., surpassing the manufacturer's specified 35 PSI) when inflating tires themselves at gas stations without paying attention to the pressure gauge. Third, altitude changes: when driving uphill, the thinner air causes tire pressure to increase automatically. Fourth, faulty sensors or calibration errors may lead the tire monitoring system to issue false alerts, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance. Having experienced the hassle of a tire blowout due to high pressure, I recommend making it a habit to check tire pressure before driving, especially during seasonal transitions, using a digital tire gauge for greater accuracy.
