What Causes Tire Pressure System Malfunctions?
2 Answers
Tire pressure abnormalities can be caused by seasonal factors, tire-related issues, or punctures from sharp objects during driving leading to air leakage and low pressure. Hazards of overinflation: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; steering wheel vibration and deviation, decreasing driving comfort; accelerated wear on central tread patterns, shortening tire lifespan; increased vehicle vibration indirectly affecting other components' longevity; excessive tension on tire cords causing reduced elasticity and increased load during operation; diminished puncture resistance. When encountering sharp objects like nails or glass, they easily penetrate, causing internal cracks or blowouts. Hazards of underinflation: Increased friction coefficient with road surface raises fuel consumption; heavy steering and deviation compromise driving safety; excessive movement generates abnormal heat; degraded cord and rubber functionality leads to delamination or cord breakage; intensified rim friction damages bead areas causing abnormal wear; multiplied ground friction rapidly heats tires, softening them and drastically reducing strength - potentially causing blowouts at high speeds; enlarged tire deformation promotes sidewall cracks with flexing motions generating excessive heat that accelerates rubber aging, ply fatigue, and cord breakage while expanding contact area to accelerate shoulder wear.
After driving for over 30 years, I've found that tire pressure warning lights typically indicate these common issues: The most frequent cause is actual tire leaks – like punctures from nails or cuts from gravel that trigger the system when pressure drops. Another culprit is TPMS sensor failure, either from dead batteries or water damage. Those sensors require regular lifespan checks – my old vehicle had multiple sensor aging failures. External factors like extreme temperature swings also trigger false alarms, especially during cold winter mornings. System recalibration matters too – forgetting to reset after new tire installation often causes erroneous warnings. These are critical safety issues requiring immediate attention. For DIY solutions, first manually check and adjust tire pressure. If that doesn't resolve it, visit a repair shop for sensor or wiring diagnostics.
