Warning! These are the dangers of driving with underinflated tyres

We will never tire of talking about tyres. It is extremely important to maintain this fundamental element for the safety of our car. It is important to know that you must not only check the depth of the tread grooves, but also carry out a regular check of the tyre pressure.

According to estimates, around 70% of drivers in Europe drive with incorrect tyre pressure. This poses a significant risk for the driver. The risks increase considerably when driving with tyre pressure that is too low, but there are also environmental problems.

Higher consumption and more pollution

Fuel consumption increases when the tyres do not have the correct pressure. The resistance offered by these underinflated tyres means that more fuel is needed to cover the same distance. Tyre wear is also greater, which means they have to be replaced much sooner than if the tyres were in good condition.

It is also important to check that in this case, wear does not occur evenly, so it is possible that the visible part of the tyre looks fine, but the non-visible part is much more worn. This is a risk, because we may see that the wheel is in good condition when in fact it is badly worn. The risk of a blowout is higher, making driving very dangerous.

Loss of grip

Grip is also affected by incorrect pressure. This means that when cornering or performing any other manoeuvre requiring considerable grip, the car will not respond as it should. Lack of pressure causes the tyre to behave differently and increases the chances of losing control during a manoeuvre.

On wet asphalt, in rain, it is also harmful to use a tyre without the correct pressure. The wheel does not drain water properly and it is easier to suffer the aquaplaning effect, creating a significant danger while driving. Finally, braking distance increases, something that is often not taken into account and can lead to a rear-end collision, as the driver fails to properly judge the car’s braking conditions.

All of this must be kept in mind when getting behind the wheel. Normally, a driver who is used to the car can notice when a wheel has pressure below normal and act as soon as possible to fix it. But it is always better to anticipate this situation and check the tyre pressure at least once a month.