When it comes to tires, there is such a thing as having too much or too little pressure. Having dangerously low tire pressure is not good for your car or your safety.
Tires are designed to be inflated to a certain psi (pounds per square inch). This number can be found on the sidewall of the tire. The recommended psi for most passenger cars is between 30 and 35. Once tires fall below this range, they become more susceptible to problems.
Dangerously low tire pressure can cause a number of issues, including:
• Reduced fuel efficiency – When your tires are underinflated, they create more resistance against the road. This makes your engine work harder, which in turn uses up more gas. According to FuelEconomy.gov, properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%.
• premature wear – Low tire pressure causes the treads of your tires to make excessive contact with the road surface. This leads to premature wear and tear, and you’ll have to replace your tires sooner than you would if they were properly inflated.
• Poor handling – Underinflated tires make it harder for you to control your car, especially in emergency situations like swerving around an obstacle in the road. This increases your risk of getting into an accident.