The importance of keeping your tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure cannot be overstated. Yet, surveys show over 50% of passenger vehicles roll underinflated. Driving on underinflated tires negatively impacts critical aspects of your car’s handling, safety, economy and performance.
In this expanded guide, we’ll take a deeper look at how improper tire pressures – both underinflated and overinflated – can degrade your driving experience, create hazards, and cost money over your vehicle’s lifespan. We’ll also provide clear guidance and tips for setting and maintaining proper car tire inflation for optimal driving.
The Dangers of Underinflation
Tire underinflation is the most common issue, with the majority of passenger car and light truck tires running under the recommended PSI. Just a few PSI lower than the recommended range compounds over time into serious risks:
- Handling – Low pressures cause tires to flex excessively compromising responsiveness to steering input. Vague, delayed handling decreases control.
- Blowouts – Weakened sidewalls from continual flexing build up heat that degrades components and can cause sudden blowouts.
- Reduced Traction – Low pressures reduce the tire’s contact patch with the pavement lowering available traction for accelerating, cornering and braking.
- Uneven Wear – Underinflation concentrates wear on the tire shoulders as sidewalls flex, shortening overall tire life.
- Higher Fuel Costs – Increased rolling resistance created by underinflated tires makes the engine work harder, reducing fuel economy by up to 4%.
- Shortened Tire Lifespan – Excessive flexing and uneven wear associated with underinflation necessitates premature tire replacement.
Checking and adjusting pressures monthly can prevent these expensive headaches down the road.
Overlooking Overinflation Dangers
While underinflation garners more attention, overinflating your tires comes with its own set of detriments:
- Harsh Ride – Too much pressure makes tires transmit more road vibration into the cabin for an overly stiff ride.
- Reduced Grip – Excess pressure concentrates the contact patch toward the tire center, reducing overall grip and traction.
- Irregular Wear – Just like underinflation, overinflation causes tread to wear unevenly across the tire’s width.
- Impact Damage – Overly inflated tires are more easily damaged when traversing potholes or debris due to less cushioning air volume.
Though overinflation has less immediate dangers than underinflation, running tires over the maximum pressures still shortens usable life and impacts vehicle dynamics.
Benefits of Correct Inflation
Maintaining pressures within the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended range provides the ideal compromise between ride comfort, long wear, safety, and performance:
- Optimized Handling – Correct pressures allow the tires to react accurately to steering input and smoothly absorb irregularities.
- Maximized Grip – Full tread contact with the road at correct pressures provides the most traction for accelerating, cornering and braking.
- Reduced Damage – Tires inflated properly endure potholes, curbs and debris with less potential for damage.
- Extended Tire Life – Correct pressures distribute wear evenly across the tread to maximize tire mileage before replacement is needed.
- Improved MPGs – Less rolling resistance provided by properly inflated tires increases miles per gallon by minimizing engine strain.
- Smoother Ride Comfort – Tires inflated to spec absorb road impacts efficiently for a compliant, enjoyable ride.
Proper inflation literally provides the foundation for controlling your vehicle responsively, safely and comfortably over its lifespan.
Tips for Maintaining Pressure
Consistently setting and verifying proper tire pressures is vital. Here are tips that make the process simple:
- Refer to the vehicle door placard or owner’s manual for the recommended PSI for front and rear tires. Don’t guess.
- Check pressures monthly including the spare before driving to get accurate cold readings.
- Purchase a calibrated pressure gauge. Don’t rely on questionable gas station gauges.
- Set tires to recommended pressures even if slightly above the sidewall maximums.
- Adjust for extra cargo weight and account for lower pressures when cold.
- Address slow leaks promptly by monitoring and inflating tires that lose pressure frequently.
The few minutes invested regularly to maintain correct car tire pressure pays dividends through enhanced safety, spending less on fuel, and extending the life of your tires. Proper inflation forms the critical foundation for a smooth ride all year long.