What to Do When the Car Shows Insufficient Tire Pressure?
2 Answers
Insufficient tire pressure indicates that there is a leak in the car tire that needs to be repaired promptly. Visually inspect whether the tire can still continue to drive. If it can, drive to the nearest tire repair shop for treatment; if the tire pressure is already too low to drive, it is recommended to use an onboard air pump to inflate the tire, then go to the nearest repair shop for servicing; or replace it with the spare tire and then go for repair. The following is an introduction to car tire pressure: 1. Tire pressure, strictly speaking, refers to the pressure of the air inside the tire. In car maintenance, the engine is the heart of the car, and the damage to the engine will lead to the end of the car's life. Then, the tire pressure is the blood pressure of the car, and the level of tire pressure plays a crucial role in the performance and power of the car. 2. Tire pressure monitoring is the real-time automatic monitoring of tire pressure during the car's operation, and it alerts the driver in case of tire leaks or low pressure to ensure driving safety. Tire pressure monitoring is divided into indirect and direct types. Determining the type of tire pressure monitoring in your car helps to promptly address the issue when the tire pressure monitoring light comes on.
When I first encountered the tire pressure warning while driving, I panicked. Later, I learned that the first step is to safely pull over and park, preferably in a parking lot or a wide roadside area, then turn off the engine. Get out and carefully inspect each tire for nails or obvious signs of leaks. Don’t stubbornly drive to a repair shop, as that could worsen the damage or even cause a blowout. Use the tire pressure gauge from the trunk to check the readings—compare them with the manufacturer’s recommended values on the label by the door. If it’s 2-3 PSI low, top it up immediately; gas stations often have free air pumps, which are very convenient. Daily habits matter—I set a monthly reminder to check tire pressure when the tires are cold, and more frequently during seasons with large temperature swings. Low tire pressure not only increases fuel consumption and accelerates tire wear but also makes handling sluggish and extends braking distance, posing serious safety risks. After topping up, the warning light usually goes away, but if it stays on, check for slow leaks.
