What does it mean to check tire pressure?
2 Answers
When the 'Check Tire Pressure' warning appears on the car dashboard, it indicates a tire pressure alarm, meaning one or more tires have insufficient or excessive air pressure. The following are related explanations: The effects of insufficient tire pressure include: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface; causing the steering wheel to feel heavy and prone to deviation; increased movement of various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heating due to excessive rolling; reduced functionality of the cord and rubber, potentially causing delamination or cord breakage. The effects of excessive tire pressure include: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; causing steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; accelerating localized wear of the tread pattern in the center of the tire, impacting the tire's service life.
Checking tire pressure means measuring the air pressure inside the tires, and this is something you can't afford to be careless about. If the tire pressure is too low, you'll feel the steering wheel become heavier while driving, the tires are prone to overheating and blowouts, and it also consumes more fuel—I learned this the hard way on the highway before. On the other hand, if the pressure is too high, the middle of the tire will wear out much faster, the ride becomes uncomfortably bumpy over rough roads, and traction suffers. Every car has a manufacturer-recommended standard tire pressure value, usually posted on the door frame near the driver's seat or inside the glove compartment. You can measure it with a tire pressure gauge that costs just a few dollars by screwing it onto the valve stem. Personally, I make it a habit to check once a month, especially during seasonal changes when temperature fluctuations are significant, as tire pressure changes accordingly. Remember to measure when the tires are cold—if you've just driven on the highway, wait until the tires have cooled down for an accurate reading.
