Driving around on low tire pressure is never something you should do. That’s because at any tire pressure under the manufacturer recommended PSI you risk losing control of your vehicle or even getting stuck with a flat on your drive. Here’s the signs to look out for to avoid driving around with low tire pressure:

• Your vehicle warning lights switch on. For many vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) dashboard lights will turn on when your tire pressure is 25% below recommended tire pressure. When these lights turn on, check your tire pressure and inflate any low tires.
• You see cracks in your tires. Underinflated tires wear down faster than properly inflated tires. If you notice your tires wear out quickly, low tire pressure could be the reason why.
• Your car handles poorly. Noticing a bumpier ride? With low tire pressure, your drive won’t be as smooth, and you may even notice you need longer to brake.
• Your steering wheel vibrates and shakes. Your steering wheel should be steady as you drive, so shaking is a sign something’s off. A shaking steering wheel is often associated with a vehicle wheel or tire imbalance, and low tire pressure may also cause that problem.

Going higher than your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure is never a good idea. Overinflation leaves tires stiff, which makes them vulnerable to damage from uneven roads and could even cause a tire blowout. Just like low tire pressure, high tire pressure can lead to uneven tire wear and put your safety at risk. Here’s the signs to look out for to avoid driving around with high tire pressure:

• You see wear down the center of your tire. Overinflating warps the shape of your tire. Instead of being evenly distributed, the center of your tire makes the most contact with the road and will wear out faster.
• You feel every bump in the road. When a tire is overinflated, you’ve reduced the amount of tread touching the road which can compromise handling and leave you with a bumpier ride.
• Less control with driver assistance functions. Vehicle safety functions, like your anti-lock braking system, will not perform at their best with overinflated tires because high tire pressure reduces your tires' contact with the road.

Tire pressure that is too high or too low can alter the performance of your vehicle and ultimately damage your tires. You can prevent tire damage by keeping up with regular tire pressure checks. Whether you visit us for a regular oil change or other auto repair services, you can ask our friendly technicians for a free tire pressure check as part of your appointment. Whenever you need help from the experts, come to your nearest Tires Plus for all your tires needs.