Why is the correct tire pressure important?
Apr 30, 2024
It is well known that driving on deflated tires is not safe. But why is correct tire pressure so important? And under what circumstances should it be checked? We investigated what tire pressure-related information every driver needs to know, regardless of the type of their vehicle.
A person sits in the traffic regulations course, and one of the first things that the instructors try to convey during the technical section is the importance of tire pressure. They explain how often it should be checked, which the driver may or may not adhere to. However, it would be wise to pay more attention to it, because neglected tires can impact not only our wallet but also our safety.
So what is the ideal pressure?
Everyone can read this in the vehicle's manual, as every car has the ideal pressure amount prescribed by the manufacturer, which can be increased by 0.3 tenths for planned long-distance highway travel (for instance, if we were to travel from Hungary to England, not just to the neighboring city).
The pressure values are usually displayed in the B column, where manufacturers typically stick what pressure the tires should be inflated to, but there’s also a separate chapter about the tires in the user manual.
What happens if it's not right?
Pressure is lower than ideal:
At low speeds (in city traffic), this will negatively affect fuel consumption and the car will consume more. The rolling resistance will be greater due to low pressure and the tire will be softer, thus increasing consumption.
At high speeds, however, it will also negatively impact safety, because if we turn at high speed with low tire pressure, there is a risk that the tire will come off the rim. Therefore, low tire pressure is problematic not only due to consumption but also because it poses a danger of accidents. Furthermore, it doesn't grip the road properly, which will also adversely affect the stability of the car; at a turn, for instance, the tire may go sideways slightly at low pressure.
Due to the increased rolling resistance, the rate of tire wear will also significantly increase in this situation, which will eventually result in tire replacement.
Pressure is higher than ideal:
If there is more pressure in a tire than the prescribed amount, it will 'bounce hard,' so the vehicle's suspension components will be under more strain, and they will need to be replaced sooner.
In this case, the center of the tire will wear out more quickly and this will also adversely affect cornering stability, however, the car will consume slightly less (a little) because rolling resistance will be much lower. Of course, this does not mean that everyone should overinflate their tires, because the braking distance will increase significantly, which makes driving dangerous.
Is there a difference in electric cars?
Tire pressure serves to ensure safety, so there is no noticeable difference between electric cars and their internal combustion engine counterparts; manufacturers determine the optimal pressure in both cases.
How can we check it?
Every gas station has a pressure gauge, but it's important to measure tire pressure only when starting or when the vehicle is in a similar state, because the correct number is shown on a cold tire. The reason for this is that rolling resistance generates heat, which increases the pressure, and we will see an incorrect value.
The general recommendation is to check the tire pressure every 500 kilometers.
You can also acquire a pressure gauge for home use; manufacturers now produce battery-operated small compressors that take up little space when stored in the trunk, but they provide much greater safety for travelers.
What should we do if the pressure is not adequate?
If the pressure is too high, that's the lesser evil. A one or two-tenths deviation can be attributed to the heat - or if we don't measure at the start - so if the pressure is 2.2 during the day (and let's say 2 is ideal), we shouldn't want to let air out immediately. It might just be that the sunlight warmed up the tires, and if we let air out, when we measure it again in the morning, it might be 1.6, which is considered low tire pressure, if 2 were ideal... Therefore, the general rule is that if the day-time value is only 1-2 tenths higher than the ideal, wait until the morning, and check the tire pressure on a cold tire before starting. In case of a significantly larger deviation (for example, 2.6 instead of 2), or if it shows more even on a cold tire, it can be let out.
If the pressure is too low, that's a bigger problem. If we don’t have a compressor with us, we should definitely stop at the first gas station and inflate the tire. If there’s a small compressor in the car, we should pull over at the first opportunity and inflate it, because if it’s too flat, the tire can be damaged badly enough that it needs replacing. New cars are already equipped from the factory with a small compressor along with tire sealing fluid, so it's worth checking.
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