Potential dangers of driving with under-inflated tires

According to the US Department of Energy, driving with properly inflated tires can optimize fuel consumption by about 3%. Vehicles with inadequate tire pressure can consume about 0.2% more fuel per 1 psi less than standard. Therefore, driving with under-inflated tires not only affects tire life but also increases vehicle operating costs.

A tire company held a test drive event in Canada to show the negative effects of running on under-inflated tires. The tests lasted 30 minutes and simulated everyday driving situations. Drivers experienced a car with full tire pressure and a car with only about 80% tire pressure. The speed during the tests was kept at about 30 mph, which is the usual speed in urban areas.

In straight-line driving conditions, the difference in driving feel between the two cars is almost imperceptible. The story changes when experiencing the curves, the car with low tire pressure becomes wobbly when steering, because the soft tire is not capable of handling the load. Meanwhile, the car with adequate tire pressure feels precise steering and the body is stable.

According to the test experts, most drivers can drive deliberately if the road conditions are good and do not require continuous steering, even if the tire is flat. On the contrary, some drivers do not realize that their tire pressure is lower than the standard. These are dangerous habits, especially when the driver drives in bad weather conditions, on places where the road surface is not guaranteed. Accidents can occur from there and cause casualties.

Not only does under-inflated tires cause a poor driving experience, they also significantly reduce the lifespan of the component. At the event, experts pointed out the level of deterioration of a tire that had run about 4,800 km, with many cracks in the tire sidewall. The average tire life is about 20,000 km, and the rapid deterioration of the tire was due to the majority of the distance traveled in a state of under-inflated pressure.

In addition to visible damage, tires that are regularly operated underinflated can experience internal deterioration, which can cause the tire to blow out while the vehicle is in operation.

“A tire that appears to have adequate pressure can actually be about 20% under-inflated to the naked eye, and the air will escape more quickly as it drives,” said a tire expert. “Maintaining adequate pressure can save drivers a lot of money on fuel each year,” he added.

Canadian tire companies also offer some tips for car users to help increase tire life related to maintaining standard pressure as below:

Users should refer to the standard tire pressure level provided by the manufacturer in the vehicle owner's manual. Do not use the pressure value printed on the tire sidewall because it is the maximum pressure the tire can withstand, not the recommended value.

In addition, drivers should regularly check tire pressure, preferably in the morning or a few hours after driving to get the most accurate value. For vehicles without tire pressure warning systems, drivers should choose accurate and reliable measuring devices, whether it is a mechanical or electronic gauge. In case the tire pressure is higher than the manufacturer's recommended level, the driver should deflate the tire to the appropriate level.

It is also recommended that users regularly check the pressure of the spare tire so that it can be used immediately in case of a problem with the main tire. If possible, drivers should equip themselves with an inflator to adjust tire pressure while on the road.