Last updated on January 3rd, 2024 at 08:24 am
There are hundreds of different types of rubber tires and one thing is common among them is that they require air to perform their tasks. The tire air pressure is the only reason why rubber tires have become so popular, and they are in use with almost all kinds of vehicles to this date
The concept of tire pressure is simple. There is a certain limit and weight for different tires, and based on that, the tire air pressure is recommended for optimal performance. A variance of 5-10 PSI is acceptable; however, if it is more than that, the problem could occur.
The bigger the tire is, the more air pressure will be required, and less for the smaller tire. Air pressure plays an important role in the overall performance of the vehicle and the wear of a tire. It can also prevent accidents if it is properly inflated.
That is why in this article, we will try to explain small and big details about tire air pressure and, from how it works to things to perform to avoid the indecent leaks of air from tires. Keep reading this article to keep the air pressure maintained and achieve safer rides in the future.
Table of Contents
Introduction
How does it work
When you connect the air pressure gauge to the tire’s valve stem, the air goes inside the tire, depending on your tire; if it is a tubeless tire, it stores all air inside the rubber, and if it is a tube tire, then the air stored in a tube.
A tubeless tire is more resistant to puncture and slowly drops air pressure after a flat; on the other hand, a tube tire drops air constantly as the tube gets punctured. Either way, both of these tires require proper air to move regardless of the build.
Tire pressure importance
The importance of tire pressure reminds you of its worth when you lose the tire air pressure in a hurry or on a long route. Because without it, moving your vehicle is not possible. Not only that, the pressure of air also holds importance, low and high air pressure can also cause some problems on your journey. So make sure you check the pressure properly before heading to any route.
When To Check Air Pressure
Most probably, you should always check the air pressure before heading toward any destination, however, if it is not possible, then it would be better if you check your air pressure manually every week. Because sometimes, TPMS sensors show the air pressures are not accurate due to some error or fault in the sensors.
How to measure tire air pressure
The best and most accurate way to measure air pressure is through digital or analog gauges because, unlike sensors, they show the exact air pressure of your tires. If those are not available, then once a week, go to the tire shop and check your tire pressure as well, even if you have sensors on your tire. Habitual checkups also safeguard you from big troubles, and punctures and faults on tires can be noticed.
Impacts of low and high air pressure
Gas Mileage
The gas mileage is sometimes impacted due to the low tire air pressure. The reason for that is low air requires more force to move the tires, which requires more gas and energy. Also, if you drive with higher air pressure than recommended, the gas mileage will increase a bit, but there might be some troubles that you could face driving with higher air pressure.
Uneven wear
The tire wears off unevenly due to the imbalance of tires. When the air pressure is low on tires, the tire makes contact with the ground unevenly and not in a complete circle, which causes some parts of the tires to wear off earlier than others. This might not be an issue with high air pressure; still, keep the pressure at the recommended level.
Tire burst and punctures
It is the most obvious impact of low air pressure tires when the tires are not properly inflated. Small and unsharp pieces and even rocks can puncture the tire, which reduces the life of a tire. Similarly, when the tire is overinflated when going at a fast pace, it can burst and cause big accidents. That is why never underestimate the importance of tire air pressure and keep the level well maintained.
Traction and steering response
Whether your tires have low pressure or high pressure, the traction and response won’t be as effective as they would be with the proper air pressure levels. When pressure is low, the steering acts on its own, and your car dances around the round even if you don’t move the steering. The same goes for high air pressure. Similarly, traction with low air pressure is never to be trusted; your car could lose traction anytime, even if the roads are not extremely wet.
Causes of pressure drop
Puncture or flat
Puncture or cuts in tires are the most common causes of sudden airdrops; there is no way to avoid it, but fixing it as early as possible could avoid damage to your tires. Also, sometimes, an old patch or plug leaks the air, so make sure you check your old punctures with the new punctures if there are any.
Valve Cap and stem issues
The valve stems and caps leak air as well; the reason for that is there is a breakage in stems or the tires are not seating properly. If this is the issue, the air pressure would drop faster than it would under punctured conditions. To solve it, replace the valve stem or cap or balance the tires with the wheels properly.
Worn tire
Tires worn below the adequate level also lose air faster than new tires; the reason for that is that the rubber on these tires is not in proper condition, and also many patches and punctures could not stabilize the air pressure on the tires. Other than that, many worse things could happen if you drive with worn tires below 3/32 depth, so replace these tires as you get the chance to do it.
Faulty TPMS
It is not always the case with low air pressure if you see a low-pressure light on your TPMS screen. So check this as well; sometimes, tire pressure sensors require a reset to operate properly. So before over-inflating the air on tires, make sure the tires are actually low on air, and it isn’t the problem with the TPMS.
Conclusion
The tire air pressure is just as important as other maintenance of a car, as it is quite simple and easy to sustain; you should take proper care of it. Because this small thing could save you from some big troubles on the road while driving. Also, keeping air pressure above and below the recommended level could cause problems as well, so rather than just filling air insanely, keep a look at the pressure level to achieve greater miles with no big troubles in the future.
