What Does Underinflating Tires Lead To?

Underinflating tires can have serious consequences on your cars’ fuel economy and the overall safety of you and your family members while driving. That is why it’s important to understand more about tire pressure and how to maintain proper tire pressure for your vehicle. Underinflated tires can be dangerous because it causes tire overloading, which in turn reduces the stability of your car. If your car’s tires are not properly inflated, then it’s time to get head to your favourite tire service shop, or else you run the risk of wearing down your rims or even blowing out a tire.

That will cause you to lose control of the steering wheel and veer off the road and into a ditch or, worse, cause an accident. Tire overloading also reduces the tread on your tires, which can be dangerous because there will be less surface-to-road contact for you to maintain steering. If your tire blows out while driving, then it’s best to remain calm and quickly and safely pull over so as not to cause an accident and put other drivers at risk. Once you’re sure you and others are safe, you need to get on the phone and call for emergency tire service.

When you overinflate your tires, it can also be dangerous because it can cause improper wear and tear on the tire itself, leading to a blowout while driving. Overinflation can also reduce fuel economy by roughly one mile per gallon, so this is something that you might want to be aware of.

Another reason why underinflated tires can be dangerous is that they can cause your car to swerve while driving, which could lead to an accident if you cannot maintain control of the wheel. If you have poorly inflated tires, you are also at greater risk for hydroplaning because the tire’s tread will not be pushing enough water away from the car, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you feel that your tires are not inflated properly, the easy solution is to take them into a service station for tire service or check at home with an air pump and fill it to where they need to be.

So next time you get in your car, make sure that you look at your tires and check to see if they need to be inflated because it could save you and other drivers from an accident. Look for any bulges or spots where the sidewall of your tire looks thinner than the rest of the tire. If this is the case, then it’s best to get them replaced at a quality tire service shop as soon as possible.

Also, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure every month or at least once every three months to make sure that they are properly inflated and working well for you. If you follow these easy steps, then you’ll be able to maintain the safety of yourself and your family members while driving in your vehicle.

What Causes Underinflating Tires?

1. Low Tread-Depth.

Your treads wear down over time, and you should replace them when they become too thin. Otherwise, your tire’s grip on the road will be reduced. If you need to replace a tire, then it’s best to have all four replaced at once so that they are all properly inflated with even pressure.

2. Inaccurate Tire Inflation.

You should be getting your tire pressure checked every time you get a new oil change at the tire service station, but it’s best to check them yourself at least once a month to make sure that they are properly inflated. You can also use an air pump to fill up any tires that may have gone down during the past month.

3. Tires are Overloaded.

If you have extra things in your trunk or overloaded the roof rack on top of your car, this will cause excessive pressure to be put on your tires, leading to underinflation if they are not properly inflated. The excessive weight will be placed on the tire for a long time, contributing to the tire’s treads wearing down over time.

4. High Tread-Depth.

Your tires might have become overheated if you’ve ever driven on a dirt road or an extremely hot day, which can affect the levels of inflation within your tires. If you see bulges in your sidewalls or notice any unusual wear, then it could be a sign that you need to replace your tires. Underinflated tires can lead to excessive heat buildup because the tire cannot handle the amount of friction placed on it, which increases the chances of blowing out while driving.

5. The air has leaked out.

If you have not been checking your tire pressure for a long time, then the air inside the tire could leak out, leading to underinflation. Also, if you have taken your tires off, then it’s possible that all of the air might have leaked out while you were changing them out.

6. Tire Sockets are not Balanced.

If the tire sockets are not balanced, they will cause an imbalance in your wheel alignment, which can lead to faster treads wearing out on each of your tires, leading to underinflation if they are not properly inflated.

7. The Car’s Tires are Overinflated.

Overinflation is usually caused by driving on hot roads for a long time. It could also be caused by your vehicle being equipped with oversized tires, which are specifically made to handle high temperatures.

8. Tire Valve Stem is Broken.

If your tire’s valve stem breaks, it can cause underinflation if they are not properly inflated, which can lead to many tire blowouts while driving with the added risk of injury or death if you were to blow out on the freeway or in heavy traffic.

If your tires are overinflated, then they might not grip properly on the road, which can cause you to lose control of your car. If the inflation is off, then it might also increase your chances of hydroplaning because it won’t be pushing enough water away from the tires.

Summary

If your tires are underinflated, then you will be more likely to lose grip on the road, resulting in a hydroplane. You should always check your tire pressure every month and before long trips for your safety and the safety of others on the road.