What is the symbol for insufficient tire pressure in a car?
3 Answers
The symbol for insufficient tire pressure in a car is an exclamation mark. The reasons for insufficient tire pressure include: 1. Leaking valve stem; 2. Reduced tire sealing performance; 3. The vehicle has been carrying overweight items for a long time; 4. Uneven tire force distribution. The solutions for insufficient tire pressure are: 1. Check the cause of tire leakage and repair or replace the tire; 2. Replace the wheel hub and change driving habits to ensure even tire force distribution. The effects of insufficient tire pressure are: 1. Increased friction coefficient with the road surface; 2. Heavy steering wheel and tendency to deviate, among other factors that negatively affect driving safety; 3. Increased movement of various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heat generation due to excessive rolling; 4. Reduced functionality of the cords and rubber, causing delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim leading to damage in the bead area.
That indicator light is typically a yellow or orange symbol resembling a tire sidewall with an exclamation mark flashing, sometimes accompanied by a wavy line. Whenever I see this light illuminate on the dashboard, I immediately become alert, as insufficient tire pressure is no trivial matter. I remember last month when this light flashed while I was on the highway, I promptly pulled over to check and found the right rear tire had only 1.6 bar (normal is 2.3 bar) – turns out a screw had punctured it. This situation is actually quite common, especially when temperatures drop and tire pressure tends to decrease. I now carry a portable air pump with me so I can inflate the tire myself if needed and drive to the nearest repair shop. If the light stays on continuously, it's advisable not to push your luck, as this increases the risk of a blowout and can also lead to 20% higher fuel consumption. Regularly checking tire pressure is truly a cost-saving and life-saving habit.
The tire pressure warning light is a yellow U-shaped symbol with an exclamation mark, and it's the last thing I want to see during long-distance drives. Last year when I was driving back to my hometown from Shenzhen, this light suddenly came on halfway, and I almost thought I'd be stranded on the highway. Later, I learned that when this light illuminates, it means the pressure in one of the tires is at least 20% below the standard value. There are quite a few common causes: for instance, gas contracts when temperatures drop, or there might be a slow leak. Sometimes, it can even be a false alarm if the system wasn't reset after switching to snow tires. My personal approach is to immediately turn on the hazard lights and pull over, then use the mechanical tire pressure gauge from the trunk to check all four tires (never rely on visual inspection). If it's just a slight pressure loss, I'll drive slowly to the nearest service area to refill. However, if I find a nail puncture or wheel rim deformation, I must call for a tow truck. Forcing the drive could grind down the tire sidewall, and replacing a new tire could cost over 600 yuan more.
