Why are the four tire pressures different?
3 Answers
Tire pressure is manually adjusted, so there will inevitably be some deviations. As long as the differences are not too significant, it's generally fine. The hazards of low tire pressure are: 1. Increased friction coefficient with the road surface; 2. Causes heavy steering and a tendency to veer, which are factors detrimental to driving safety; 3. Increases the movement of various parts of the tire, leading to abnormal heating due to excessive rolling. The hazards of high tire pressure are: 1. Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; 2. Causes steering wheel vibration and veering, reducing driving comfort; 3. Accelerates localized wear of the tread pattern in the center of the tire, shortening tire lifespan; 4. Increases body vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components.
I've encountered uneven tire pressure multiple times. The most common causes are aging valve stems or air leaks, especially in older vehicles. Driving habits also play a role – frequently driving on rough roads or scraping curbs while parking can damage tire sidewalls, leading to slow leaks. Temperature fluctuations significantly affect tire pressure too, with noticeable expansion and contraction under hot sunlight. Don't forget to check for wheel rim deformation – my car once had a slightly dented rim edge, causing that tire to require monthly inflation. Uneven tire pressure creates noticeable driving issues: slight vehicle pulling, heavier steering effort, and longer braking distances. I've developed a monthly tire pressure check routine – measuring when tires are cold gives the most accurate readings, usually following manufacturer recommendations found on door frames or fuel caps. If one tire loses pressure abnormally fast, conduct a thorough inspection of both tread and rim rather than simply adding air.
After driving for fifteen years, I've found that there are quite a few reasons for uneven tire pressure. First, it could be natural aging of the tires—older tires that have been used for five or six years or more harden, and the increased gaps can lead to slow leaks. Additionally, multiple tire repairs might result in poor sealing; for instance, my right rear tire started losing pressure gradually after being repaired three times. Another factor is parking on uneven ground for extended periods. For example, the sloped parking spots in my residential area cause the left tires to bear more weight, leading to more noticeable pressure changes compared to the other tires. The most critical issue to watch out for is when the tire pressure difference exceeds 10%—this can reduce the car's stability during turns and make it especially prone to skidding in rainy conditions. I make it a habit to check the tire pressure with a dial gauge every two weeks, and I always do so before long highway drives. If I notice a significant pressure difference in one tire, I don’t panic immediately. Instead, I release all the air from the tires, reinflate them to the standard pressure, and drive for a couple of days to determine whether it's a real leak or just a measurement error.
