How Would Under Inflated Tyres Affect Your Vehicle?

Driving with under-inflated tyres may seem harmless. If you continue this way long-term, however, it can not only damage your vehicle, but also harm your ability to safely drive it. How would under inflated tyres affect your vehicle? Let's explore the three main impacts down below:

Uneven Tyre Wear

When you drive on under-inflated tyres, the sidewalls become misshapen and bulge out. That's because there's not enough internal air pressure to hold the correct tyre shape. As a result of the sidewalls bulging, the edges of your tread are in greater contact with the road and sustain far more wear than usual.

This is desirable in rare cases, like with drag racers, because the tyre slack can grip the road enough to launch the car at incredible speeds. However, this is precisely calculated for each race, and tyres in this context are meant to be worn out at a high pace.

This does not apply to the standard driver, especially if you want your tyres to reach their normal 7-10 year lifespan. Having to change out your tyres every few months or years can have a dramatic impact on your budget.

If left for too long, excessive wear on your tyres may lead to bursts in areas where the rubber is too thin to hold the pressure. If you notice any bulging or cracked parts of your tyre, do not drive on it. Reach out to an expert to have them replaced immediately, as this is a safety hazard.

Poor Fuel Economy

Because under-inflated tyres have additional surface contact with the road, there's more friction and they do not roll as cleanly. Because of this, your car must burn additional fuel to make them roll, which impacts your petrol budget.

Even worse, your engine has to work harder to maintain the desired speed. Over time, this can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on the car overall, which can result in extra servicing or repair bills.

Unresponsive Steering

When in an under-pressurised state, the tyre rubber has more slack in it. As such, your steering will be more sluggish, harming your ability to control your vehicle at high speeds or safely make turns. That's because your steering must use additional force to turn an unresponsive tyre. That can lead to delayed steering, bouncing suspension, and trouble braking.

What Can I Do About Under-Inflated Tyres?

Inflating your tyres is easy. Doing so will return your set to their proper standards and eliminate the risks listed above. You can either use a paid air compressor at a petrol station (they're usually between 50p and £1 to use) or use a 12v compressor at home.

If you need to get your tyres checked or replaced, then get in touch with your local Autofusion centre. Our experts are happy to repair tyres, replace them, check your tyre pressure, and refill any under-inflated ones if necessary. This will help your car and tyres remain legally compliant and safe to use.