What to Do When Car Tires Are Underinflated?
2 Answers
For underinflated car tires, you can use an onboard air pump to inflate them and then drive to the nearest repair shop, or replace them with a spare tire before heading to the repair shop. The following precautions should be taken while driving: 1. Avoid sudden starts: Whether the car is empty or loaded, start smoothly at a low speed to prevent dragging the tires against the ground and reduce tread wear. 2. Maintain straight-line driving: On good roads, keep the car moving straight. Avoid swerving or making sharp turns unless necessary for passing or avoiding obstacles, as this can cause lateral cutting damage between the tire and rim. 3. Control speed appropriately: When descending long slopes, adjust your speed based on the slope's gradient, length, and road conditions. This helps avoid emergency braking, reduces tire wear, and ensures safer driving. 4. Use inertia when climbing: When going uphill, utilize the car's inertia, shift gears timely, and maintain adequate power. Avoid stopping and restarting to minimize tire wear. 5. Avoid high-speed turns: When turning, control your speed according to the curve. High-speed turns generate excessive centrifugal force, causing cargo to tilt and shift the center of gravity, overloading and dragging one-sided tires, accelerating wear, and potentially causing lateral cutting damage by the rim. 6. Avoid emergency braking: In complex driving conditions, maintain an appropriate speed to reduce frequent and emergency braking, which can cause sliding friction between the tires and the ground, leading to severe tread wear. 7. Slow down on rough roads: Drive cautiously, choose the best path, and after passing, stop to check for stones stuck between dual tires, removing them promptly if found. 8. Park safely: Develop a habit of coasting to a stop safely. Before parking, choose a flat, clean, and oil-free surface, ensuring all tires land smoothly. Especially when parking overnight with a loaded vehicle, select the parking spot carefully and, if necessary, lift the rear wheels.
When I notice my tires are low on air, I immediately find a safe spot to pull over and turn off the engine. Then, I take out my portable air pump or manual inflator, connect it to the power source or start pumping; note that the standard tire pressure is usually listed in the car manual or on the tire sidewall—just inflate to that value. If I don’t have a pump handy, I can use the air compressor at a nearby gas station. After inflating, I also check for leaks by spraying water to look for bubbles or listening for hissing sounds. If there’s a leak, I’ll need to visit a repair shop for a patch. Underinflated tires not only increase fuel consumption but also raise the risk of a blowout, make steering unstable, and are especially dangerous in rain or snow. That’s why I make it a habit to check tire pressure monthly with a simple tire gauge—it saves money and keeps me safe. In short, don’t overlook this small task—it safeguards your driving safety.
