Improve your habit if you drive on under-inflated tyres

Most Dunlop tyres in Stockport have a rubber tube filled with compressed air. You have to fill your tyre with air according to the specifications provided in your user manual. Just filling your tyre with air like balloons would not work. You have to follow the guidelines given in the user manual.

Every vehicle comes with different air pressure requirements.

Once you are familiar with the specifications about air pressure in your tyre, you have to keep them properly inflated.

Over-inflation and under-inflation both are not favourable for your tyre. In this blog, we would talk about under-inflation and its negative effects.

Why is driving on an under-inflated tyre a bad decision?

Driving your car is highly risky on the under-inflated tyres. The tyre is made to provide stability on the road and they absorb shocks caused by potholes, bumps, and rocks. However, they are able to do these jobs effectively only if the air pressure in the tyre is at the optimum level.

Low inflation level in tyres increases the contact patch between the road surface and the tyre. This condition is ideal to generate more friction to degrade the rubber material.

Low inflation level in tyres is going to increase rolling resistance. It means that your engine will consume more fuel to affect your fuel efficiency. Moreover, low inflation in tyres is responsible for promoting uneven tread wear.

You would not be able to stop, steer or turn your vehicle with a low-inflated tyre along with affected braking distance.

Is there any difference in driving comfort with under-inflation?

Surely you will feel it while your tyre is rolling on low air pressure but only when the conditions are not favourable. Suppose you are driving on a smooth highway where you do not need to make sharp turns, you will hardly notice any change in the level of air pressure. But, you have to deal with problems when you suddenly face a condition similar to sharp turns, instant braking, uneven road surfaces, and bad weather.

Reasons that are responsible for low air pressure

Faulty valve:

Look at your tyre valve if you observe low air pressure in your tyre regularly. The tyre valve is responsible for preventing air leakage in the tyre. When it is closed, the air has no chance to seep out. A fault in the tyre valve will allow the air to escape outside of the tyre. Thus, repair the tyre valve as soon as possible whenever you find a fault.

Punctures:

This is one of the most common reasons and most drivers know well about it. A slow leak puncture will cause loss of air at a slow rate. However, air will seep out instantly in the case of a blowout.

Punctures are usually caused by objects like pins, nails, pieces of glass, or any sharp object on the road.

Changes in temperature:

When you find no signs of leakage and still, the tyre are under-inflated. The main culprit is probably changing temperature. When the temperature is low, the air is supposed to shrink and as a result, you will find low air pressure in your tyres.

Faulty tyre bead:

Air may escape out of the tyre because of faults in the tyre bead. The tyre bead is attached to the rim firmly to prevent loss of air pressure. However, a damaged tyre bead will allow a place for air to seep out gradually.

The natural process of osmosis:

It is impossible to keep the air inside the tyre for a long time due to osmosis. Air naturally seeps out of the tyre’s wall due to its ability to permeate solids. However, this process is extremely slow and you will notice a change after several months.

How to maintain air pressure in tyres?

Check the air pressure in your tyre regularly to avoid unfavourable circumstances. Check air pressure every week and whenever you leave your home for a long drive. Never check the air pressure in your Tyres Stockport when they are heated. Let them cool down and then use your pressure gauge to check air pressure.