What is the danger of riding a flat tire?

Support for optimal internal pressure in tires one of the important elements of car care tires. If the pressure level is optimal inside, this ensures uniform contact of the tread with burly cloth and protects the tire from premature failure. If the indicator is below normal, then this can lead to negative consequences, up to the accident, as the pressure level directly affects the controllability of the vehicle, and therefore the safety of the driver.

What should be the level of tire pressure?

Everything is extremely simple here. The manufacturer sets the recommended indicator for each car, and it should be followed. Information can usually be found in the machine manual. Some manufacturers hang a memo on the cover of the gas tank hatch or from the driver's side on the middle body pillar. Data can also be indicated on the sidewall of the tire.

Naturally, the manufacturer can also allow the use of tires of different sizes, for which the recommended pressure indicator will differ. In addition, sometimes the pressure level can be different even for front and rear tires. All this must be taken into account and carefully read what the car manufacturer recommends.

Seasonal tire pressure fluctuations

Ambient temperature directly affects tire pressure. Not everyone knows, but in a confined space, air pressure drops by about 0.1 bar with a decrease in temperature for every 10°C. This leaves its mark on the operation of car tires.

For example, by installing summer tires in April, you can not be afraid that the pressure inside will drop under the influence of the environment until the end of August, when the cooling will gradually begin. Therefore, at the end of summer it is always recommended to check the pressure level and, if necessary, to inflate tires.

In the cold season, you need to check more often. In particular, after installing winter tires at about end of October, it is recommended that a pressure level be checked even at the very first frost. Also, an additional check will not hurt when the thermometer column drops to minus 10, and then to minus 20°C.

What are the consequences of driving on under-loaded wheels?

Using tires with reduced pressure can be very dangerous. Much here, of course, depends on the degree of discrepancy with the recommended indicator. And of course, the greater this difference, the more dangerous it will be to ride such a machine. Even an underestimation of only 0.3 atmospheres can have a serious negative effect on the vital characteristics of the vehicle. Let's take a closer look at what this all the same threatens. Every driver should know this!

Reduced manageability

First of all, a car with lowered tires loses its basic dynamic characteristics, steering difficulties may arise. The car accelerates worse, the steering wheel may not obey. Also, reduced pressure makes it difficult for the driver to take turns at speeds. During the maneuver, the car loses control, becomes unstable, poorly holds the trajectory all this can lead to uncontrolled skidding. Also, when driving in the rain or just on a wet road, the wheels can behave very unpredictably, which also increases the risk of an accident.

Braking problems

One of the most dangerous consequences is a decrease in braking performance. When making an emergency stop, there is a significant increase in stopping distance. This is especially noticeable on icy road surfaces in winter and on wet roads. And this is not about a trifling increase in braking distance, which has little effect. When driving at high speeds along the highway, even a very slight discrepancy between the parameter and the recommended norm can cause big problems and often leads to the most unpredictable consequences. For example, reduced pressure increases the likelihood of tire rupture.

Increased wear

If you ride a long flat tire, you should prepare for the fact that you will often have to change them. This is due to the fact that lowered tires wear out very quickly. Experts say that if the tire pressure indicator is below the norm by 20%, then their service life in on average decreases by 30%. In particular, during operation, irreversible damage to the carcass may be observed along the entire circumference of the side walls. Tires lose their shape, overheat and deform. Then the cord is stratified and torn. Therefore, it is extremely dangerous to drive low pressure tires on bad roads. This increases the risk of a serious accident if the tire bursts at high speed.

Increased fuel consumption

This, perhaps, is not dangerous, it is also a rather unpleasant consequence. Experts confirm that when driving in a car with lowered wheels, even with a slight loss of pressure, gasoline consumption increases markedly. And it can hit a car owner’s pocket.

How to check tire pressure?

You need to check tire pressure regularly, because, as we have already noted, this figure can change during the operation of the vehicle, and is subject to seasonal fluctuations due to changes in air temperature. Even when operating under ideal conditions, tires can lose pressure. At the same time, the loss rate on average is about 0.069 bar per month. That is why it is recommended to check this indicator monthly.

A special device is used to determine tire pressure manometer. This is a small device, extremely easy to use. However, when checking, a number of recommendations must be observed. In particular, the pressure should be checked exclusively in cold tires. This is due to the fact that when riding tires are heated, this leads to inaccuracies during measurement. The optimal time for measuring the pressure level earlier in the morning before the car left the garage.

The procedure for checking tire pressure is as follows:

• The first step is to unscrew the cap on the valve tires and install a pressure gauge on it.
• On the gauge scale, the current tire pressure indicator it can appear in bars or psi.
• If the level is underestimated, you should pump up the tires using an automobile compressor.
• After pumping, the pressure level check procedure is repeated until the value becomes optimal, that is, recommended by the machine manufacturer.
• Once the desired level has been reached, put the cap back in place and tighten it tightly.

You need to check all the tires! If there is a big pressure difference, it is better to contact a car service, where experienced specialists can solve the problem. There may be air leakage caused by improper rim position or a defective spool. In any case, the wizard will cope faster with the task of finding the cause of the malfunction.

If you do not want to constantly check tire pressure manually, you can purchase a tire pressure monitoring system. It is very convenient and practical, as it makes life easier for the driver. If the indicators deviate from the norm, the system will give an appropriate warning signal. And to restore the optimal pressure level, it is recommended to buy automobile compressor in Kiev, Kharkov or Odessa. The 130.com.ua online store offers a large selection of compressors at competitive prices.

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