Four Ways Poor Tire Pressure Affects Your Car

Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in a vehicle’s tires. To maintain proper levels, tires should be checked at least once a month with a pressure gauge. Have you been driving with an overinflated tire or, just as bad, an underinflated one? Don’t do this! It may seem harmless to ignore that over or underinflated tire for now, but you may be causing more damage than you realize. To prove it, here are four ways poor tire pressure affects your car.

Bad Gas Mileage

Most people keep their tires about 80 percent below recommended pressure levels, which could be costing them an extra $500 in gasoline each year. It may sound shocking, but a tire pressure of just 6 PSI below the recommended level could reduce total fuel economy by as much as 5 percent. Avoid this by properly inflating your tires. It’ll not only help you save money on gas, but also reduce emissions and keep your vehicle running better long-term.

Shorter Tread Life

Poor tire pressure can seriously reduce the life of your tires and make for some uncomfortable car rides. When tires are overinflated, less of the tire touches the ground resulting in you feeling the bump of every large crack and pothole. This can quickly cause your tires to wear and reduce stopping time. Underinflated tires touch too much of the ground, which results in more tire friction and wear, as well as overheating and tread separation. Preserve the life of your tires by consistently keeping their pressure at recommended levels.

Unpredictability in Bad Weather

While properly inflated tires are well-equipped to handle the increased dangers of driving on wet, snowy, and even icy roads, poorly inflated tires are not—and could put you in serious danger. Tires that are over or underinflated are difficult to handle and unpredictable in bad weather. Underinflated tires, especially, will take longer to stop, are more likely to skid, and may be the cause of SUV rollovers. The tread on poorly inflated tires may even collapse while operating. If you’re unsure about tire pressure levels, check them out before bad weather arrives.

Tire Failure

One of the biggest dangers of poor tire pressure is complete tire failure. Whether your tires are over or underinflated, you can be at risk of this happening. Often, too much tire contact with the road leads to increased friction, then tread separation, followed by a blown tire, and ultimately a nasty accident. If your tires have been poorly inflated for a while, some early warning signs of tire failure include uneven or excessively worn tread, cracking in the sidewalls, or extra vibration when driving.

Although poor tire pressure can badly affect your car, it can easily be fixed with the help of a tire pump. Simply refill your tires to the recommended pressure levels found on the driver’s side door. Always confirm that pressure levels are correct with a pressure gauge, so you (and your tires) can stay safe on the road.