Low tyre pressure is one of the leading causes of tyre failure, as when too much of a tyres surface area touches the ground, the friction is greatly increased. This can cause the tyre to overheat and eventually blowout; premature wear and tread separation are also results of under inflated tyres, which means you’ll have to pay extra for a tyre service or MOT than you would if you’d kept them properly inflated.
The friction caused by under inflated tyres also means that your engine has to work harder in order to get your car moving, which means your fuel efficiency is greatly reduced, costing you more in fuel costs overall. Under inflated tyres can also lead to accidents due to unbalanced steering problems and increased breaking distances being required, as the tyres will not be able to respond as quickly.
You may think that your tyre inflation being too high must be better than it being too low, but you’d be wrong. Over inflating your tyres comes with its own set of problems, such as wear to the centre of the tyre due to too much air pressure. Again, this will mean that you’ll have to spend more on a tyre service or MOT when you could have saved yourself the money by keeping your tyres properly inflated. Tyre wear also means that they lose traction and are also more ‘delicate’, often prone to damage by potholes or other road hazards, which can be a danger to the driver.
Every vehicle has a different recommended tyre pressure, so you’ll need to refer to your vehicle’s owner manual or contact the manufacturer for the answer. Once you have this information, we’d be happy to check your tyre pressure for you, free of charge, so that you can continue driving safe in the knowledge that you are not risking a potential fine!
If your car tyres need replacement, a service or simply a check-up, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us at 01258 459798.