What are signs that my tires are underinflated and may be unsafe?

Many drivers travel on underinflated tires, and this contributes to many driving issues including tire failure, blow outs, and rollovers. Although all vehicles now have a tire monitoring system to alert drivers when tire pressure drops 25 percent below the recommended level of inflation, they aren’t perfect. These systems don’t prevent all tire malfunctions from occurring.

Does Your Vehicle or the One Near You Have Underinflated Tires?

Spotting an underinflated tire with the naked eye is nearly impossible, unless the tire is almost flat. Short of using a gauge to measure the pressure, you can’t tell the exact amount of air inside the tire, but your wheels do give the following signs of underinflation:

• Poor handling. When your tires don’t have the proper amount of air, you may notice your car doesn’t ride as well as it used to. Improper tire pressure causes more flex in the sidewalls and can impact the amount of time you need to brake.
• Vibrations. Without the right amount of air in your tires, you may feel your steering wheel shake or an odd vibration when driving. Improper inflation also causes your tires to become misaligned, and this may also create vibrations.
• Sidewall cracks. As tires age, it is common for them to break down and experience cracks. Underinflation can speed up this process. Flatter tires experience more friction with the road, which can cause them to wear out faster.

Unhealthy Tires Can Cause Serious Accidents

If you were involved in an accident with a car that had underinflated tires, the driver could be considered negligent. Don’t allow another driver’s negligence to ruin your life. Contact the attorneys of Johnson and Gilbert to get the help you need to pay for medical bills and vehicle repairs related to the crash.