What Happens When a Tire Loses Air?
2 Answers
Due to the decrease in air pressure, the amount of tire deflection increases, leading to greater friction between the tire and the ground. This causes a sharp rise in temperature, making the tire softer. If the vehicle continues to drive under these conditions, it may result in a tire blowout. Methods to determine if a tire is underinflated include: 1. Visual Inspection: You can directly check the four tires to see if any are visibly flat. 2. Tire Pressure Display: You can also use devices to measure tire pressure, such as handheld tire pressure monitoring devices or onboard automatic tire pressure displays, to accurately measure the tire pressure. 3. Tire Pressure Monitoring: By installing a tire pressure monitoring system, you can monitor the tire pressure in real-time.
A flat tire is more than just a minor issue. Having driven for over ten years, I've encountered this situation several times. Once the tire pressure is insufficient, the car starts to shake and become unstable, especially on highways where the steering wheel becomes particularly heavy, making it easy to lose control and hit guardrails or even roll over. In severe cases, it could lead to a tire blowout causing a major accident, endangering not only yourself but also pedestrians. Once, my friend drove with a flat tire for a while, and the rim got deformed, costing thousands to repair. That's why I always say, if you notice abnormal tire pressure, stop immediately and change to the spare tire or call for a tow truck. Make it a habit to check tire pressure every two weeks to avoid such emergencies—safety first.
