Did you check your tire pressure recently? Did you know that driving with an underinflated or overinflated tire causes damage to your vehicle? Additionally, if your tires are not properly inflated, they’ll be more prone to various tire damages.
Your rubber tires are the ones in contact on the road. They are prone to wear and tear but tires are usually meant to last long. However, you don’t just replace them when needed then forget about them. You also have to properly maintain them because a set of tires is quite expensive. Part of maintaining them is making sure that their pressure is optimal.
The Optimal Tire Pressure
Depending on what your vehicle is, there is a standard pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer. To know this, you should read your user’s manual. You may also ask the local maintenance shop for the proper pressure rating. Usually, passenger cars should have a range of 32-35 psi.
With proper tire pressure, you have better control over your vehicle. There is directional stability of the tires and the steering is responsive. You also get to save money because optimal tire pressure leads to better fuel efficiency.
You should regularly check the tire pressure of your vehicle. It is recommended to do this at least once a month but you can do it more often especially if you are driving for long distances. There are inexpensive air pressure gauges that you can purchase so you can check the pressure in the comfort of your own home. In case you find that the tire pressure is either too high or too low, you could easily adjust them by using air hoses from fuel stations.
If you do not maintain the optimal pressure, there are various consequences that could happen.
Problems Due To Overinflated Tires
Overinflated tires are more rigid and stiff. When the tire comes in contact with the ground, only a small portion of the width of the tire touches it. This will significantly decrease your control over the car.
The car could become less stable because there is less traction due to the smaller part that touches the road. This could be the reason why it is more difficult to control the car’s direction. These are especially felt when you are driving at fast speeds.
Tires that are overinflated are also more prone to explode too. In case you drive over debris or a pothole, the tire is more likely to get damaged by it. When this happens, you could further lose control of the car and end up in an accident.
Apart from the apparent dangers, riding a car with an overinflated tire is also less comfortable. Due to the decreased stability, the ride may feel rougher and bumpier. The tires are also more likely to be worn out because only a small portion of the tire touches the ground. You could observe wear and tear in the middle part of your tires if they are overinflated.
Problems Due To Underinflated Tires
Underinflated tires aren’t any better than overinflated ones. In fact, they may be worse because they can cause a whole lot of car problems too. To start off, the tire form will be altered because more surface meets the road. This could lead to premature wear and tear of the tires for up to 25%.
The fuel economy will also be greatly affected. When the tires are underinflated, the car’s engine will need more power to turn the wheel because the tires are softer. Additionally, there can also be internal tire damage. Even when the tire doesn’t blow out, this hidden tire damage can still greatly endanger anyone who drives it.
Similar to overinflated tires, safety is also compromised because it can be difficult to control the direction of your vehicle. Sometimes, it could feel like it is veering towards the left or right.
Having a flat tire is a common car problem and when that happens to you anywhere in Oklahoma City, call OK Towing Company for their immediate mobile flat tire repair service…
