What to Do About Tire Pressure Loss?
3 Answers
The solution to tire pressure loss is to promptly check the tire pressure and replace the tire if necessary. Hazards of low tire pressure: Increased friction coefficient with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; Causes heavy steering and easy deviation, which are factors detrimental to driving safety; Increases the movement of various parts of the tire, causing abnormal heating due to excessive rolling; Reduces the functionality of the cord and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, resulting in damage to the bead area and abnormal wear; Multiplies the friction between the tire and the ground, causing a sharp rise in tire temperature, softening the tire, and drastically reducing its strength. High-speed driving may lead to a tire blowout; Increases tire body deformation, making the tire side prone to cracks, while generating flexing movements that lead to excessive heat, accelerating rubber aging, fatigue of the cord layer, and cord breakage. It also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating shoulder wear.
I just experienced a flat tire last week. I was driving on the highway when the tire warning light suddenly lit up on the dashboard. Honestly, I panicked a bit, but immediately turned on the hazard lights and slowed down. After pulling over to the emergency lane and checking, sure enough, there was a rusty nail stuck in the rear tire. Fortunately, the spare tire and jack were in the trunk. Remember to drive slowly to the repair shop after changing the tire. Every half hour on the road, I checked the tire temperature, worried the bolts weren't tight enough. The mechanic said I was lucky the rim wasn't damaged, and next time I should address the tire pressure warning immediately instead of pushing through.
Veteran drivers advise, don't panic when you have a flat tire. Last month, my front right tire was punctured by a screw, losing all pressure within half an hour. First, confirm whether it's a real leak or a false alarm. The safest approach is to use an emergency air pump to reinflate before driving to a tire repair shop. If the leak is on the sidewall, you'll need a new tire; punctures on the tread can often be repaired. Check tire pressure monthly, adding 0.2 bar in winter and releasing some air before summer rains for better traction. Seasonal maintenance should include adjusting the camber angle at the garage, as unevenly worn tires are more prone to bulging.
