What Causes Abnormal Tire Pressure?
3 Answers
Tire pressure abnormalities can be caused by either overinflation or underinflation, and the vehicle should not be used in such conditions. To ensure driving safety, it is recommended to drive to the nearest tire repair shop for assistance. Hazards of Overinflation: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; Causes steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; Accelerates wear on the central tread pattern, shortening tire lifespan; Increases vehicle vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; Overstretches tire cords, reducing tire elasticity and increasing the load on the vehicle during driving; Decreases puncture resistance. Sharp objects like nails or glass can easily penetrate the tire, causing internal cracks or blowouts. Hazards of Underinflation: Increases friction with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Causes heavy steering and deviation, compromising driving safety; Increases movement in various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; Weakens cord and rubber functionality, causing delamination or cord breakage and excessive friction with the rim, damaging the tire bead and causing abnormal wear; Multiplies friction between the tire and the ground, rapidly increasing tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may lead to blowouts; Increases tire deformation, leading to sidewall cracks and flexing movements, causing excessive heat, rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, while also increasing the tire's contact area and accelerating shoulder wear.
A few days ago, my tire pressure warning light suddenly came on, which scared me into pulling over to check immediately. In fact, the most common causes of abnormal tire pressure are nails puncturing the tire causing air leaks or aging valve stems leading to poor sealing—these slow leaks are often overlooked. Additionally, seasons with large temperature variations can be quite troublesome; a sudden 10-degree drop in temperature can reduce tire pressure by about 0.3 bar, so you often need to top up the air in the morning. If the warning light comes on again a couple of days after topping up, the wheel rim might have been deformed by hitting a curb, causing a slow leak—this is when you’ll need to visit a tire shop for wheel rim repair. Of course, modern cars are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, and sensor battery depletion or interference can also trigger false alarms. Still, it’s best not to gamble with the odds, as incorrect tire pressure poses the greatest risk of a blowout.
As a veteran truck driver with over 20 years of experience, I have much to say about tire pressure issues. Don't just focus on inflating or deflating when tire pressure fluctuates abnormally. First, check if you've recently changed tires - improper installation of new tires may cause incomplete sealing at the wheel rim edges. During long-distance driving, tire pressure increases by about 0.5bar when tires warm up compared to cold conditions; deflating at this time may actually lead to underinflation. Another often overlooked aspect is the spare tire - even unused spares naturally lose air over time, and you might find it flat when you need it. Additionally, those with modified rims should be cautious as size mismatches can cause abnormal tire pressure fluctuations. My advice is to check tire pressure weekly during the first month after modification.