What are the impacts of driving with underinflated tires?
2 Answers
The impacts of driving with underinflated tires include: 1. Increased friction coefficient with the road surface; 2. Heavier steering wheel and tendency to drift; 3. Increased movement of various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heating due to excessive rolling; 4. Reduced functionality of the cord and rubber, causing delamination or cord breakage; 5. Excessive friction with the wheel hub, resulting in damage to the bead area; 6. Increased risk of tire blowout during high-speed driving; 7. Larger tire contact area with the ground, accelerating wear on the tire shoulders. Reasons for insufficient tire pressure include: 1. Air leakage from the tire or valve; 2. Wheel hub deformation reducing tire sealing performance; 3. Long-term overloading of the vehicle causing uneven tire stress; 4. Thermal expansion and contraction leading to insufficient tire pressure.
I often drive long distances, and insufficient tire pressure can be very dangerous. Low tire pressure causes overheating and deformation, especially at high speeds, which can easily lead to blowouts. Last year, I almost lost control during a heavy rain. Steering becomes less responsive, braking distance increases significantly, and even a small emergency brake could result in a rear-end collision. Worse still, the vehicle becomes unstable and prone to skidding in curves, increasing the risk of accidents. I recommend checking tire pressure weekly, as maintaining the recommended pressure can greatly improve safety.
