How Tire Pressure Affects Vehicle Safety and Performance
In this article we briefly explain why air pressure in the tires matters for both vehicle performance and safety, and also for gas consumption.
Maintaining the right tire pressure is one of the simplest maintenance tasks you can do, yet most people neglect it until they have a flat tire.
Thankfully, most car manufacturers today know the importance of air-pressure maintenance and have tire air pressure sensors built right in to notify the driver if air pressure is off.
But not all cars have this feature so incorrect tire pressure is pretty common, and it can compromise your safety, reduce fuel efficiency, and cause premature tire wear. All of these issues can end up being costly in the long run.
Why Tire Pressure Matters for Safety
Tire pressure plays a big role in driving and how your vehicle responds on the road – especially when it comes to braking, steering, and overall stability. Tire pressure directly affects how well your tires will grip the road and how much control you can keep during unexpected situations.
How Low Tire Pressure Increases Risks
Under-inflated tires reduces the grip on the road and makes it harder to brake and steer properly. This becomes particularly dangerous for drivers on wet or icy surfaces because the tire’s traction is already very low. Low tire pressure also increases the risk of blowouts (when you start sliding uncontrollably), especially at high speeds.
The Impact of Over-Inflated Tires
Over-inflated tires makes them stiff and reduces its contact area with the road. If a tire is over-inflated it can create uneven tread wear and make it harder to control the vehicle, especially when going around corners or driving on rough surfaces. This creates significant safety hazards that can be easily avoided by regular pressure checks.
The bottom line is, correct tire pressure keeps you safer while you’re on the road.
Tire performance is important. For a more information on tire performance, check out What Makes Winter Tires Stick to the Road So Good and Parts of a Car That Should Be Aligned or Inspected Yearly. These two articles explain what goes into maintaining optimal tire conditions.
How Tire Pressure Affects Performance
Most people don’t know that a vehicle’s performance depends significantly on maintaining the recommended tire pressure. The right pressure ensures your tires wear evenly, maintain a smoother ride, and have better overall stability. It also reduces the strain on your suspension system which extends the life of other key vehicle components like shocks, struts, tie rods, control arms, and wheel bearings.
Fuel Efficiency and Tire Pressure
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance which makes your engine work harder and consume more gas. Proper pressure improves your fuel efficiency by up to 3% and reduces unnecessary wear on your vehicle. Proper inflation also ensures consistent tire performance, keeping your driving experience smooth and reliable.
Under-inflated tires wear out faster on the edges, but over-inflated tires degrade in the centre. These days, a large percentage of people don’t check their tire pressure so it’s expected that their tires are both over and under-inflated.
Longevity of Your Tires
Under and over-inflation patterns will shorten the life of your tires significantly and increase the risk of unexpected blowouts. Regularly checking and adjusting tire pressure so they have the right pressure, extends their lifespan and keeps you safer on the road. It also helps you avoid tire replacement which gives you more value from your investment in quality tires.
Signs and Tools to Maintain Correct Tire Pressure
Monitoring tire pressure regularly is a simple habit that delivers significant benefits. It can be done as much as once a week, but checking every two to three weeks will suffice. Just make sure to take a look at your tires for any problems before you get into your car.
Signs of Improper Pressure
Common signs include:
- Uneven tread wear
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Difficulties in handling or braking
- Increased road noise
- Vibrations in the steering wheel
- A noticeable drop in tire pressure
If you notice these issues, it’s time to check your tire pressure, and bring it into your mechanic if the tires are damaged.
Tools to Check and Maintain Pressure
A good investment is in a quality tired pressure gauge and a portable air compressor to put air in your tires. If your vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to alert you when adjustments are needed, we advise that you don’t always rely on the readings. Sometimes they could be wrong so it’s good to make sure of the pressure using a pressure gauge.
Keep Your Tires Road-Ready
Be proactive in addressing tire pressure issues early to avoid preventable problems. If you live in Brantford and have realized you need your tires fixed or you need new tires, we’re here to help.
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