What are the reasons for inconsistent tire pressure in cars?
2 Answers
Car tire pressure inconsistency is caused by factors such as excessive temperature. Below is a relevant introduction to car tire pressure: Excessive temperature: The side exposed to sunlight has a slightly higher temperature, leading to slightly higher tire pressure. Additionally, ground friction coefficients and minor differences during tire inflation contribute to the variation. Hazards of over-inflated or under-inflated tires: Over-inflated tires increase friction with the ground, reducing tire grip and affecting braking performance and driving comfort. This accelerates wear on the central tread, shortening tire lifespan, increasing body vibration, hastening tire aging, reducing wear resistance, and raising the risk of blowouts. Under-inflated tires increase the contact area with the ground, raising fuel consumption, making the steering wheel heavier, and impairing driving performance. The tires are prone to overheating and blowouts, causing the tire body to expand, leading to cracks on the inner and outer sides, accelerating rubber aging, and increasing tire wear.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've seen countless cases of uneven tire pressure, mostly due to issues with the tires themselves. For example, aging tires develop small cracks or leaks, allowing air to slowly escape and pressure to drop. Sometimes it's just a loose valve cap causing air leakage. There are also instances where accidentally running over nails or sharp objects leads to slow leaks, resulting in significant pressure differences within a day or two. Temperature changes play a big role too—hot summer temperatures increase tire pressure, while cold winter temperatures decrease it, causing uneven pressure between tires, sometimes differing by as much as 10 psi. Aggressive driving habits can also lead to uneven wear, such as frequent hard braking causing lower pressure in the front tires. I remember once on the highway, my car felt a bit unstable. After pulling over, I found the right rear tire was 25 psi lower than the others—turned out a screw had punctured it. Uneven pressure not only wastes fuel but can also lead to blowouts or accidents. It's best to use a tire pressure gauge for monthly checks, especially before long trips, paying extra attention to rim deformities or tire damage.
