What does it mean when 'bar' appears on the car?
2 Answers
When 'bar' appears on the car, it indicates low tire pressure. First, check if the tire is leaking air. If there is a slow leak, immediately repair or replace the tire. If you are unsure whether the tire is leaking, you can simply inflate it and then observe whether the pressure returns to normal. If the 'bar' warning on the dashboard is caused by a tire leak, the warning will automatically disappear after inflating or replacing the tire and restarting the engine. The standard tire pressure for ordinary cars is: 2.5 bar for the front tires and 2.7 bar for the rear tires in winter; 2.3 bar for the front tires and 2.5 bar for the rear tires in summer. This ensures safe driving and comfort while also reducing fuel consumption.
When I'm driving, if I see the word 'bar' on the dashboard, it's usually a warning from the tire pressure monitoring system. Bar is an internationally recognized unit of pressure, similar to psi, specifically used to measure the air pressure inside tires. The standard tire pressure for regular passenger cars typically ranges between 2.0 and 3.0 bar, with exact figures posted on the door frame or in the owner's manual for reference. If the bar reading is abnormally high or low, the system will illuminate a warning light, indicating a tire pressure issue that needs immediate attention.
If the tire pressure is too low, rolling resistance increases, fuel consumption rises by over 10%, tire edge wear accelerates, and there's a risk of blowouts due to deformation. Conversely, if the pressure is too high, the tire's center wears out faster, handling becomes slippery, and the danger multiplies during sudden braking or cornering.
When I encounter this situation, my first response is to find a safe place to pull over and use my portable tire pressure gauge for measurement – digital types are more accurate, avoiding misjudgment by feel. It's best to measure when the tires are cold, not immediately after driving, as temperature changes can cause bar values to fluctuate by 0.2 to 0.3 units, affecting accuracy. After confirmation, I use a small air pump to adjust to the standard value. Usually, the warning light turns off automatically after correction; if it stays on, there might be a sensor malfunction or air leak, requiring professional inspection at a repair shop.
In short, checking tire pressure monthly is a simple habit that can prevent many roadside troubles.
