Low Tire Pressure Effects Your Vehicle

Low Tire Pressure Effects Your Vehicle

Low tire pressure has some interesting effects on your vehicle that can be both dangerous and cost you money.

Effect 1: Gas Mileage

A national study found that most people keep their tires at about 80% of the recommended pressure. Taking this fact into account, and the average miles driven of 12,000 miles per year, the average person spends over $500 more a year on gasoline than they would if they kept their tires inflated properly. Properly inflated tires not only increase your miles per gallon over all, they provide for better performance and handling of your vehicle.

Effect 2: Stopping Time

Tires that are under inflated take longer to stop, especially on wet pavement. Many experts believe that the major cause of SUV rollovers is under inflated tires. Under inflated tires will skid more readily on both ice and wet pavements. They also will skid further on dry pavements.

Effect 3: Emissions

Since under inflated tires take more energy to get the car in full motion, more exhaust fumes are created. In addition to these exhaust fumes, the tires will wear out more quickly and need replaced more often. This creates expense to your family budget and more rubber tires to dispose in a landfill.