Why is the car tire always underinflated?
2 Answers
The reason why the car tire pressure is always insufficient is due to tire or valve leakage, which requires inspection at a tire shop. Wheel deformation, leading to reduced tire sealing performance. The vehicle is overloaded for a long time, causing uneven tire stress and thermal expansion and contraction. Due to manufacturing differences in tires, underinflation may occur due to thermal expansion and contraction. Below are relevant details: 1. Low car tire pressure increases fuel consumption: Maintaining proper tire pressure can reduce fuel consumption by 3.3%. If tire pressure drops by 30%, when driving at 40km/h, fuel consumption increases by 5%~10%. If a single tire is underinflated by 40PSI, its lifespan decreases by 10,000 kilometers, and the total fuel consumption of the car increases by 3%. 2. Low car tire pressure accelerates tire wear: When tire pressure is insufficient, the tire suffers more wear, which is detrimental to its lifespan. From the perspective of tire wear, if the tire pressure is too high, the center part wears more heavily; conversely, the edges wear more. Both overinflation and underinflation affect tire lifespan.
I've noticed that my tires keep losing air, which is usually caused by several reasons. The most common one is a puncture from a nail or sharp object, leading to a slow air leak. If the tire pressure is consistently low every time you check, you should carefully inspect the tire surface for small holes or cracks. Additionally, if the valve core is worn or loose, it can also cause air leakage. You can try tightening it yourself or use soapy water to test for bubbles. There might be gaps around the wheel rim due to corrosion or deformation, in which case you'll need to sand it down or replace it. Temperature changes also have a big impact; for example, tire pressure naturally drops a few PSI in winter. It's best to check the pressure regularly, at least once a month, to avoid unstable handling and increased fuel consumption while driving. Another potential reason is tire aging and becoming brittle, which means it's time to consider replacing them to ensure safe driving. I recommend using professional tools to locate leaks and not ignore this potential hazard.
