Have you noticed that your vehicle’s Low Tire Pressure light is on, and you’re trying to push the limits because you don’t have time to fill up your tires with air? Learn what happens to your vehicle when driving with low tire pressure, and find out what tire pressure levels can create dangerous driving conditions.
The air in your vehicle’s tires helps absorb some shock from the road and provides cushion for the passengers in the cabin from the movement of the wheels; this energy absorption is why tires are not made out of solid rubber, as it would provide less motion dampening and “give” than air-filled tires.
How Low Is Too Low?
A safe “low” tire pressure to drive on is between one and five pounds lower than the recommended pressure for your vehicle or tire’s recommended pressure. Tires that are lacking approximately 10 PSI from the recommended amount are safe to drive on, but not ideal. Tires that have lost up to 10 pounds of air pressure can wear unevenly or prematurely, and can decrease your gas mileage, so try to locate an air compressor to fill up your tires to prevent any further tread wear (a lot of gas stations still have accessible air stations, but may or may not require payment to use the compressor).
Tires with less than half the recommended pressure should be considered hazardous, and you should find your nearest air pump to prevent an accident, a blowout, or bead roll-off. Bead roll-off occurs when the tire pressure is so low the tire’s sealing surface, or bead, can push itself outside of the lip of the wheel, causing rapid pressure loss and even allowing the tire to roll completely off the wheel. If you are not able to access an air compressor, you can always use Fix-A-Flat to fill up your tire enough to get to an air pump or repair shop, depending on the severity of the puncture.
Effects of Low Tire Pressure
An array of things occur to your vehicle and tires when you drive with low tire pressure, and each tier of low tire pressure can cause a variety of different issues.
One to 10 Pounds Lower Than The Recommended Tire Pressure Can Cause Subpar Driving Conditions, Including:
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Decreased emergency handling and longer braking time
- Increased and uneven tire wear
- Shorter tire life
11 to 20 Pounds Lower Than The Recommended Tire Pressure Can Cause Dangerous Driving Conditions, Including:
The symptoms above, plus:
- Skidding
- Tires can be punctured more easily
- Flexing side walls at high speeds or in turns
- Fractured or broken tire laminations from heat and flexing
- A disintegrating sidewall that can separate from the tire’s tread
- A worn or low front tire may cause you to lose steering control, and could contribute to an accident
20+ Pounds Lower Than The Recommended Tire Pressure Can Cause Extremely Dangerous Driving Conditions, Including:
The symptoms above, plus:
- Tire blowout or bead roll-off
Improve gas mileage, decrease tire wear, and prolong the life of your vehicle’s wheels by maintaining the correct tire pressure levels. O’Reilly Auto Parts has informational videos and step-by-step instructions on How To Change A Flat Tire, How To Check Your Tire Pressure, and How To Fill Your Tires With Air, as well as the products you need, including analog and digital tire pressure gauges, portable tire inflators, tire sealant, valve stem caps that reflect the tire pressure levels, and more. Whether you are performing vehicle maintenance or have a more dire repair, O’Reilly Auto Parts has the resources, parts, and tools to help you stay safe while driving.
An O’Reilly Experience: My Tire Rolled Off Its Bead at Work
“When I began my position at O’Reilly Auto Parts, I was backing out of a parking spot on my lunch break when my vehicle’s tire rolled off of its bead. In the parking lot, I heard clunking sounds coming from my trunk. When I got out of the car and saw my back tire, it was completely flat, and the wheel was separated from the tire. With a few tools, I was able to remove the flat tire, put my spare tire on, and drive to a repair shop to get a new tire installed — all in time to clock back in. Though it wasn’t something I’d experienced before or since, the culprit was likely low tire pressure and a case of bad luck. While driving my car home from the repair shop, I thought that this learning experience was a great reason to give our customers a little more information about proper tire care."
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