What is the appropriate tire pressure in summer?
2 Answers
Generally, the lower limit of the standard tire pressure for car tires is sufficient. For example, the lower limit for standard tires is 2.4 bar. If the car is often parked outdoors, the tire pressure can usually be about 0.1 bar lower than the standard to avoid tire blowouts due to high temperatures. Hazards of excessive tire pressure: The friction and adhesion of the tire will decrease, affecting braking performance; It can cause steering wheel vibration and deviation, reducing driving comfort; It accelerates localized wear of the tread pattern in the center of the tire, reducing tire lifespan; Vehicle vibration increases, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; It causes excessive stretching and deformation of the tire cords, reducing the elasticity of the tire body and increasing the load on the car while driving; Puncture resistance decreases. When encountering sharp objects like nails or glass on the road, they can easily penetrate the tire, causing internal cracks and blowouts. Hazards of insufficient tire pressure: The friction coefficient with the road surface increases, leading to higher fuel consumption; It makes the steering wheel heavy and prone to deviation, which are factors detrimental to driving safety; It increases the movement of various parts of the tire, causing abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; It reduces the functionality of the cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, causing damage and abnormal wear at the bead area; The friction between the tire and the ground increases exponentially, causing a sharp rise in tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may lead to tire blowouts; It increases tire body deformation, making the tire side prone to cracks and causing flexing movements, leading to excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, cord fatigue, and breakage, and increasing the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear.
I used to pay special attention to tire pressure in summer when driving, thinking it's generally fine to keep it within the range recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, usually around 2.2 to 2.5 bar as indicated on the label by the door. Measuring it in the morning before driving is the most accurate, as the tires are cool then. In summer, the tire pressure naturally increases by 0.1 to 0.2 bar as it gets hotter, so I often adjust it to be slightly below the standard value to avoid the risk of a blowout due to high temperatures. It's also important to check regularly, using a tire pressure gauge once a month to ensure even tire wear, improve handling, and save fuel. Once, I neglected to check the tire pressure and had a minor accident due to instability when turning on the highway, so now I'm extra careful. Remember not to inflate the tires under the scorching midday sun, as it can mislead the readings—safety first.
