4 Reasons Not to Drive on Under Inflated Tires

Ever walked out to your Lawrenceville vehicle in the morning and noticed that one of your tires is looking a bit lower than normal? When you’re in a hurry, you might be tempted to overlook the issue and tell yourself you’ll take care of it later as you hop into the driver’s seat. It might not seem like such a big deal, but in reality driving on under inflated tires can result in a number of problems for your vehicle and it can be downright dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. Explore 4 reasons not to drive on under inflated tires with the team at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth, below.

Dangers of Under Inflated Tires

• Total Tire Failure – Your tires are your main contact with the road in Suwanee, and they’re designed in such a way that only a certain amount of rubber touches the pavement. When you have under inflated tires, the amount of rubber that is in contact with the road is higher than it should be. This leads to increased friction, which leads to overheating, which can result in premature wear and tear or even a full-on tire blowout.

• Costly Vehicle Damage – Under inflated tires will put greater pressure on the corners of your vehicle’s suspension and chassis, risking the destruction of vital components. Additionally, your brake lines, wheels, callipers, fenders, and rotors will be stressed. What does all this mean for Johns Creek drivers? Possible costly repairs in the near future.

• Difficulty Handling Your Vehicle – When you drive on under inflated tires, you won’t have as much control over your vehicle. Your ability to come to a stop, make evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident, turn corners safely, and take curves smoothly will be significantly hampered, increasing the likelihood of a collision or running off the road.

• Increased Fuel Consumption – Driving on under inflated tires can significantly increase your rolling resistance, which will increase your fuel consumption to compensate. Who wants to spend more than necessary at the pump?

Under Inflated Tire Symptoms

Thankfully, the under inflated tire symptoms to look out for are pretty obvious, so it’s unlikely that the issue will persist for long before you notice it. Signs of under inflated tires include:

• The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Alerts You – Your TPMS exists to alert you when your tire pressure is too low. If the TPMS warning light illuminates, you’ll know to check the pressure of all four tires and act accordingly.

• Poor Fuel Economy – Are you stopping at local gas stations more often than normal? As we noted above, this may be the result of under inflated tires.

• Unusual Flapping Noise When Driving – You may hear a distinctive flapping noise or a sort of “whomp-whomp” as you head down the road in Duluth. This is often the sound of an under inflated tire slapping the pavement below, but it may not just be under inflated – it may be fully flat, so if you hear this sound, you should pull over in a safe spot as soon as possible to check things out.

• Decreased Steering Abilities – Is your vehicle handling poorly? Whether it’s having trouble turning or there’s an overall decrease in maneuverability, it may be a sign of under inflated tires.

• Longer Stopping Distance – If you’re finding that it takes longer than normal to come to a full stop, low tire pressure may be the culprit. When under inflated, tires don’t have as good of a grip on the pavement for stopping.

Get Tire Service You Can Trust at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth!

Need to have your tires inspected? Suspecting it’s time for a replacement or a tire rotation? The service center at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth provides tire service you can trust! Contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment with us today, and be sure to check out our latest selection of service specials where you’ll frequently find savings on new tires and tire services.