The Impact of Underinflated Tyres on Your Car

Underinflated car tyres can have a significant impact on both your car's performance and your bank balance.

It's not just about safety - driving with underinflated tyres can lead to accelerated wear, compromised handling, an uncomfortable driving experience, reduced durability and increased fuel and battery usage.

Wear & Tear: The Slow Saboteur

One of the most notable effects of driving with underinflated tyres is accelerated wear and tear.

When your tyres are underinflated, the rubber stretches and sags, causing the sidewalls to lose their shape.

As a result, more of the tyre comes into contact with the road, leading to faster wear.

If you ignore this problem, you may find yourself having to replace your tyres sooner than expected, which can be expensive.

Handling & Grip: Mastering the Road with Confidence

Driving with underinflated tyres can also have a significant impact on your car's handling and grip.

The lack of air in the tyres means there is a greater chance of the rubber twisting and failing to grip the road properly.

This can leave your steering feeling heavy and unresponsive - which can be a real concern when driving in wet or slippery conditions.

Uncomfortable Driving Experience: Waves of Discomfort

Underinflated tyres also often lead to an uncomfortable driving experience.

Your tyres and suspension work together to absorb the bumps and shocks of the road, and when your tyres are not properly inflated, you may feel every bump and pothole along the way.

This can be not only uncomfortable but also potentially damaging to your wheels.

Durability & Longevity: Cracks in the Tyre's Armor

Driving on underinflated tyres can compromise their overall structure, leading to cracks along the sidewall.

Unfortunately, these cracks cannot be repaired, making replacement necessary.

This is another costly expense that you can avoid by ensuring that your tyres are always properly inflated.

Fuel & Battery Usage: An Energy Drain

Your car's fuel or battery (as is the case with underinflated EV tyres) usage is likely to increase. When your tyres are not inflated to the recommended level, there is more friction between your tyres and the road.

This, in turn, causes your car's engine to work harder, consuming fuel at a faster rate.

Over time, this can result in higher fuel costs and more regular recharging for an EV.

The Key to Prevention: Your Tyre Guardian

To prevent underinflation, it's crucial to regularly check your tyres.

In addition to measuring the tread depth and inspecting the sidewalls for damage, it's important to monitor the tyre pressure.

Ideally, you should check your tyre pressure every two weeks.

If you notice a recurring change in pressure from the recommended level mentioned in your vehicle's handbook, it's advisable to have your tyres inspected by a tyre fitter.

They can identify any potential slow punctures or other faults that may be causing the pressure fluctuations.