Is It Safe to Drive with Under Inflated Tires?

You're driving along and look down at your dashboard to see an alert from your vehicle that one or more of your tires has low air pressure. Like most drivers, you may ignore it and continue driving, maybe even for days or weeks. This may not be the case after you read this blog! 

When your tire pressure warning comes on, one or more of your tires is 25% below the recommended air pressure. While most drivers don't think that this is a big deal to have fixed right away, the truth is, having the proper tire pressure is important for a number of reasons. 

Have you ever driven on the highway and noticed a piece of a tire laying on the side of the road, or what was left of it? This happens when you have a tire blowout. A tire blowout is when your tire essentially breaks open, which can be extremely dangerous while on the road. Tire blowouts are actually mainly caused by low tire pressure, and trust us - you definitely want to avoid this situation. 

Another reason you'll want a low air pressure tire taken care of as soon as possible is the possible damage that can be caused by driving with a low PSI tire. When your tire has low air pressure, it can wear down and become damaged quickly. This can cost you a new set of tire much sooner than you planned for. 

Driving with tires that aren't properly filled can have an effect on other things, too. One key thing is that it can significantly decrease your fuel efficiency since your vehicle has to work harder to move a flat tire. You'll end up filling up your tank more. Plus, you may find it harder to control your vehicle and steer your car where you need it to go, which can be dangerous on the road. 

So, the moral of the story is - don't drive with a tire that has low air pressure! As soon as you see that tire pressure warning light turns on, bring your vehicle into Woodie's Auto Service & Repair Centers for quick service. Your tire may have a hole or it may just need to be filled - either way, or experts are here to help. Give us a call or stop by today!