What Are the Risks of Driving With Over-Inflated Tyres?

What if we told you that a small tweak to your tyre pressure could improve your driving safety and performance?

One common mistake that many drivers make is driving with over-inflated or under-inflated tyres, and actually, what most people don't know is that both are as bad as each other. Today though, we're going to concentrate on over-inflation and the effects it will have on safe driving, your car, and your wallet! Over-inflation can lead to a variety of risks and potential hazards. Yikes! but with a little bit of attention, these can easily be prevented. 

To help you understand the dangers, we've compiled a list of risks associated with over-inflated tyres. Join us as we delve into the dangers and discover how you can optimize your tyre pressure.

Reduced Tyre Traction

Over-inflated tyres have less contact with the road surface, reducing traction. This means stopping quickly and safely is harder, especially on wet or icy roads. Reduced traction also messes with your handling and control of the vehicle, making it quite the challenge to manoeuvre around obstacles or take sharp turns with ease.

Uneven Tyre Wear

When a tyre is over-inflated, the centre of the tread bears most of the weight and wears out faster than the rest. This leads to uneven tyre wear and can significantly impact your car's performance.

Uneven tyre wear can also lead to vibrations and noise, making for an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe driving experience.

Increased Risk of Punctures

Over-inflated tyres are more susceptible to punctures. The increased air pressure makes the tyre walls stiffer and less able to absorb impact from debris on the road. This puts your tyres at a higher risk of getting damaged and can lead to unexpected blowouts while driving.

Compromised Ride Comfort

Driving with over-inflated tyres can also make for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. The stiffer tyre walls provide less cushioning, making you feel every bump and dip on the road.

This can be especially troublesome on long drives, leading to fatigue and decreased concentration while driving. It can also affect the overall comfort of your passengers, making for a less enjoyable journey. Regularly check and maintain the proper air pressure in your car tyres to avoid these risks and hazards. 

Increased Braking Distance

When it comes to your safety on the road, every second counts. And here's something that might make you hit the brakes (pun intended): over-inflated tyres can seriously increase your vehicle's braking distance.

Picture this scenario: you're driving along, and suddenly, an unexpected obstacle appears in your path. In a split second, you need to hit the brakes and come to a complete stop. But with reduced traction caused by over-inflated tyres, your braking distance is significantly prolonged.

Think about the implications. A longer braking distance means it takes more time and space for your car to stop completely.

In critical situations or emergencies, those extra precious moments can be the difference between avoiding an accident or causing one. 

Decreased Cornering Stability

Over-inflated tyres compromise your vehicle's handling and stability while cornering. This can make it more challenging to navigate turns, potentially leading to loss of control.

It is especially dangerous at high speeds, so properly inflating your tyres is crucial for safe and stable driving. 

Higher Risk of Blowouts

The increased pressure in over-inflated tyres can significantly heighten the risk of blowouts.

When the tyre pressure is too high, the tyre becomes more rigid and less capable of absorbing impact, such as hitting a pothole or debris on the road. This can cause a sudden and dramatic loss of air pressure, resulting in a blowout. 

The time it takes for an over-inflated tyre to blow out depends on the degree of over-inflation, driving conditions, and the condition of the tyre. Under normal driving conditions, it could range from a few hours to several days or weeks.

A sudden impact or a high-speed drive on a hot day can speed up the process, leading to a quicker blowout. 

Aside from being a potential safety hazard, blowouts can cause significant damage to your car and may lead to expensive repairs. 

Fuel Efficiency

Did you know that under-inflated tyres can negatively impact your car's fuel efficiency? What about over-inflation? When your tyres are under-inflated, they have a bigger surface area in contact with the road, causing them to roll with more resistance.

Likewise, over-inflation does the opposite, reducing contact surface with the road, improving rolling resistance, and offering a marginal improvement in fuel efficiency... However, is it really worth it? The small saving on fuel, by some estimates around three percent, is quickly offset by all the negative safety aspects above. It's also likely to wear the tyre out faster, meaning that small savings in fuel will be quickly offset by having to look for new tyres. While we love to help you find new tyre deals at TyreRunner.com - we'd rather it was only when you need them and not prematurely. 

Tips for Maintaining Proper Tyre Pressure

Proper tyre pressure contributes to safe and efficient driving. Here are some practical tips to help you maintain the correct tyre pressure:

Regularly Check Tyre Pressure

Make it a habit to check your tyre pressure at least once a month. Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to measure the air pressure in each tyre when they are cold (i.e., before driving or at least three hours after driving).

Refer to your vehicle's manual or the sticker inside the driver's door jamb for your tyres' recommended PSI (pounds per square inch).

Adjust Tyre Pressure as Needed

If your tyres are over-inflated or under-inflated, adjust the air pressure. Add air to under-inflated tyres using an air compressor at a gas station. Alternatively, release air from over-inflated tyres using the valve stem cap and a pressure gauge.

Consider Temperature Changes

Keep in mind that ambient temperature affects tyre pressure. As the temperature drops during colder months, tyre pressure decreases.

Conversely, warmer weather can cause tyre pressure to rise. Take temperature changes into account when checking and adjusting your tyre pressure.

Consult a Professional

If you're unsure about checking or adjusting tyre pressure yourself, consider visiting a trusted tyre service provider.

They can ensure you correctly inflate your tyres and address any concerns you may have about tyre maintenance.

Know the Risks of Over-Inflated Tyres

So next time you fill up at the petrol station, take a few extra minutes to check your tyre pressure and ensure a safe and comfortable ride. Prevention is always better than dealing with the consequences of over-inflated tyres. 

Keep yourself and your fellow drivers safe by keeping your tyres inflated!

Regularly check your tyre pressure using a reliable gauge, reference your vehicle's manual for recommended PSI levels, and seek professional help. Doing so can avoid the risks of over-inflated tyres and enjoy a safer driving experience.

Ensure your safety by choosing high-quality tyres and getting expert advice on tyre maintenance at Tyrerunner.com. Contact us today for top-notch products and valuable insights!