The consequences of having incorrect tyre pressure

Improper tyre maintenance, especially when it comes to pressure, is vital for the proper functioning of the vehicle.

Low tyre pressure causes more problems than you might think. Higher financial costs, reduced safety or damage to the environment are some of the factors to which incorrect pressure contributes.

The worst part is that it is estimated that up to 70% of European drivers drive with incorrect pressure in their tyres.

Below, we are going to tell you about some of the consequences of this very common mistake:

Higher financial costs and environmental damage

Many studies have been carried out on incorrect tyre pressure. They determined that driving with tyres in this condition released 18.4 million tonnes of extra CO2 into the atmosphere.

As if that were not enough, this problem also leads to 8,000 million litres of fuel being unnecessarily consumed in just one year. Not to mention the replacement of 55 million tyres, of course…

In 2011, Bridgestone confirmed an extra cost of 2.8 billion euros in fuel due to incorrect tyre pressure.

According to Michelin, driving 1 to 2 bar below the recommended pressure can increase fuel consumption by more than one full tank per year.

Greater and uneven tyre wear

Low tyre pressure causes greater wear on the rubber. It can render the tyre unusable much sooner than it should be. So check it as soon as possible.

Greater likelihood of punctures

Faster and greater deterioration of the tyre also increases the likelihood of a puncture. This is a clear risk factor that affects our safety and that of others.

Less comfort when driving

Low tyre pressure means that when we hit potholes or drive over poor surfaces, we feel these defects much more. In the long run this increases the possibility of injuries, especially to the back.

Reduced performance when cornering

Loss of performance is another of the most important effects caused by incorrect tyre pressure.

For example, in vehicles with front wheels that are more deflated, when cornering, they will tend to understeer, that is, to drift outwards.

If it is the rear wheels that are affected, it will cause oversteer, which is even harder to control, especially for inexperienced drivers. It can lead to a spectacular accident, so take extra care.

Increases braking distance

Indeed, low pressure causes the braking distance to increase. Therefore, this is another clear case of accident risk.

Tyre coming off the rim in more aggressive manoeuvres

Resorting to more aggressive manoeuvres or driving more sportily with low-pressure tyres increases the chances of the tyre coming off the rim.

This is especially dangerous and will almost always end in an accident, the consequences of which will depend on speed and other factors.

Now you know, incorrect tyre pressure is no joke, so the next time you get in your vehicle, check and correct this situation. Remember to check this key factor at least once a month.