What is Tire Pressure?
4 Answers
Tire pressure, strictly speaking, refers to the air pressure inside a tire. Introduction to Tire Pressure: Tire pressure is an indicator of a vehicle's load capacity. The load capacity of a vehicle depends on the level of tire pressure. According to the relationship between a tire's load index, tire pressure, and load capacity, the higher the tire pressure, the greater the load capacity; the lower the pressure, the smaller the load capacity. For example, a tire with a load index of 80 has a load capacity of 300 kg at a pressure of 0.15 MPa, while at 0.25 MPa, the load capacity increases to 450 kg. This demonstrates the significant impact of tire pressure on a vehicle's load capacity. Hazards of Abnormal Tire Pressure: Pressure is the lifeblood of a tire; both excessively high and low pressures can shorten its lifespan. If the pressure is too low, the tire body deformation increases, cracks are more likely to appear on the sidewalls, and flexing movements occur, leading to excessive heat generation, which accelerates rubber aging, fatigue of the cord layers, and breakage of the cords. Low pressure also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating wear on the tire shoulders. If the pressure is too high, the tire cords undergo excessive stretching and deformation, reducing the tire body's elasticity. This increases the load on the vehicle during driving, and impacts can cause internal cracks or even blowouts. Additionally, excessive pressure accelerates wear on the tire tread and reduces its resistance to punctures.
Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tires, just like inflating a balloon—it shouldn't be too high or too low. Once during a long road trip, I suddenly felt the steering wheel become unusually heavy. After pulling over, I noticed both front tires were nearly flat, and a check revealed the pressure was only 1.6 bar. For normal passenger cars, the recommended cold tire pressure is typically around 2.2-2.5 bar, with the exact values labeled on the door frame or fuel cap. Low tire pressure causes excessive flexing of the tire sidewalls, leading to higher fuel consumption and increased risk of blowouts. Conversely, overinflation accelerates wear on the tire center and makes rides over speed bumps uncomfortably harsh. It's advisable to check tire pressure monthly with a gauge—many gas stations now offer free air pumps. Maintaining proper tire pressure ensures both safety and fuel efficiency.
Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tires. My neighbor suffered a big loss last year due to neglecting tire pressure. All four tires on his car were underinflated, causing them to overheat and burst while driving on the highway—fortunately, no accident occurred. The numbers like 'MAX PRESS 300kPa' written on household car tires are not recommended values; they indicate the maximum pressure the tire can withstand. For actual usage, refer to the label on the door frame. In summer, tire pressure tends to be higher, so remember to measure and adjust it when the car is cold. Conversely, it naturally decreases in winter. The spare tire's pressure also needs regular checks—many people don’t touch their spare tires for three to five years, only to find it flat when needed. You can use a tire pressure monitor or the visual method taught by experienced drivers to check the tire's contact area with the ground. If the contact area covers fewer than five tread patterns, it means the tire is too flat.
I understand tire pressure as the air pressure value inside the tire, measured in units of bar or psi. This value is particularly important. During my last car maintenance, the mechanic mentioned that a difference of 0.3 bar in tire pressure could lead to uneven wear across all four tires. Nowadays, many new cars come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts you on the dashboard, but older vehicles require manual checks. Usually, you can use a tire pressure gauge costing just over ten yuan—simply remove the valve cap and press it on when the car is cold. If the tire pressure is too high, the ride becomes bouncy and less comfortable; if it's too low, the steering feels heavy, and fuel consumption can increase by half a liter per 100 kilometers. Remember to maintain the spare tire at a higher pressure of 3.0 bar, as it might sit in the trunk unused for several years.
