The Dangers of Underinflated Tires

How many miles did you drive today? According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average American car owner makes at least four daily trips and averages around 40 miles a day. That is a lot of wear on your tires. A good tire can last six years or around 36,000 to 75,000 miles. Car owners need to use proper tire pressure because one of the biggest dangers of underinflated tires is losing control and getting into an accident.

Based on information gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department, there were 562 motor vehicle fatalities related to tire failure incidents. The following are some of the most common dangers of underinflated tires.

Total Failure

When the proverbial rubber meets the road of a tire, a lot of physics is applied to the concept of driving. An underinflated tire means that the rubber of a tire that makes contact with the road is higher than it should be. In other words, more rubber on the road. That leads to a chain reaction of increased friction, which leads to overheating. That can trigger a full-on tire blowout.

Increased Vehicle Damage

Underinflated tires not only cause a tire blowout but also put added pressure on the car’s suspension, chassis, rotors, brake lines, and calipers. That added wear can lead to additional repairs.

Difficulty Handling

Driving with underinflated tires diminishes your handling abilities. It can impact your ability to come to a complete stop or make evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. Those types of tires can also contribute to losing control around corners. All of those factors can contribute to an accident.

Lower Fuel Efficiency

You might not see the rolling resistance created by underinflated tires, but it is reflected at the gas pump. You might see lower fuel efficiency through more trips to the gas pumps.

Checking Your Tire Pressure

It is a good idea to get into the habit of checking your tire pressure every couple of weeks. You don’t want to wait until the low-pressure warning flashes on your dashboard. Investing in a tire pressure gauge is the best way to check your tire pressure. Check your car’s owner’s manual for your recommended tire pressure.

To check your pressure, remove the cap from the air valve and press the tire gauge against the open valve stem for a few seconds. You’ll see the pressure number. Compare that to your recommended pressure. If it is low, you’ll want to add air to get the proper pressure. The entire process takes a few minutes, but it can positively impact your driving.

Additional Car Maintenance Checklist

In addition to checking your tire’s air pressure, you should also consider these other maintenance tasks:

Regular Oil Change

You should follow your car maker’s recommendation for an oil change. Most recommend a change between 5,000 to 10,000 miles. This is another task that you want to stay on top of instead of waiting for the dashboard warning light.

Check Other Fluids

You should also check your other fluids wherever you have your oil changed. That includes brake, steering wheel, windshield wiper, transmission, and engine coolant.

Replace Windshield Wipers

You’ll notice that you have a problem with your windshield wipers the next time it rains, and they don’t clear the water. In the hot summer months, the wipers’ rubber can wear out a lot faster. You don’t want to get stuck in a rainstorm with poor windshield wipers.

Check Your Car Battery

Your car battery is another part that will eventually need to be replaced. A good battery lasts around 3 to 5 years. If your battery is older than 3 years, you’ll want to check to make sure you’re not close to a flatline. When you buy your tire pressure gauge, you can also invest in a multimeter. Follow the directions to get a reading, and if it is under 12.4 volts, you’ll want to replace your battery.

Avoiding an Accident

These tips can help your car run smoothly and ensure you’re always in control. Of course, you can’t control other drivers. If you are the victim of a car accident, you can count on the legal team at Hendrickson & Long, PLLC, to provide the support you’ll need to seek fair compensation for your losses. Don’t wait to set up your free consultation with our attorneys. Call to schedule that talk today.