There are several warning signs that a vehicle may alert its owner to. The most common dash light or warning sign relates to whether or not you are wearing a seatbelt. Another warning sign or light that may be noticeable on the dash is one signifying low tire pressure.
Causes
One well-known cause for losing air pressure in tires is a hole. Holes can come from simply driving over a piece of glass or a nail. Another cause of low tire pressure can be related to the valve stem deteriorating over time. Exposure to chemicals that are used for road maintenance can lead to this issue. Several other factors are unavoidable and can cause tire pressure to drop; one is temperature. Changing temperatures of even a ten-degree difference can cause up to a pound of air pressure to escape, making it very important to check tire pressure with each changing season.
Measurable Effects
Your vehicle’s performance could suffer from low tire pressure causing more stress on the tire sidewalls, which can ultimately lead to loss of stability, traction, and grip. As time passes and the vehicle is continuously driven with low tire pressure, steering and braking will begin to feel the effects. Steering becomes harder, braking can be slower, and reaction time will vary, opening up opportunities for accidents. Having tire pressure readings under the recommended pressure amount can be related to increasing your vehicle’s gas consumption. It can also reduce the quality and life of the tires. Along with these other measurable effects of low tire pressure, comes the risk of a blowout.
When dealing with your tire pressure, it’s always best to check it regularly, either when the seasons change or once a month. Once you have noticed low tire pressure in one or more of your tires, inflating the tire back to the recommended tire pressure can save you both time and money in the long run.
