Is it more comfortable to drive with lower tire pressure?
“It is above all more dangerous. A tire that has too low a pressure will be too soft and therefore uncontrollable. This is probably the most dangerous and misleading belief when it comes to tire pressure.
Car manufacturers and tire manufacturers determine a recommended level of pressure. It is this pressure that guarantees good behavior even in extreme circumstances,” says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager at Nokian Tyres.
Does tire life increase with good tire pressure?
“Absolutely. The lower the tire pressure, the more protruding the sidewall of the tire. The sidewall is the weakest part of a tyre, correct tire pressure reduces the risk of punctures, cuts and failures.
Conversely, driving with too low a pressure will cause the tire to deform.
The temperature of the tire will increase, which can cause ruptures between the components of the tire. To make a tire last, we regularly check its pressure.” adds Matti Morri.
Should front tire pressure be increased when towing a trailer?
For our tire specialist, the answer is simple: “This is also a belief that still persists today, and the answer is no. On the contrary, it is the pressure on the rear axle that will have to be increased. Increasing the weight on the tow bar increases the load on the rear axle. The loaded vehicle will be difficult to drive with the rear moving uncontrollably”.
Does a van need a tire pressure of up to 5 bar?
“To reach the maximum load capacity of a van, the pressure level must indeed reach five bars, sometimes even more.
Most of the structural problems encountered on commercial tires are explained by too low tire pressure compared to the load.”
Can a tire detach from the rim?
“It is a phenomenon that can occur when the temperature drops. By dropping ten degrees, it causes your tires to lose 0.1 bar. Sub-zero temperatures also cause steel rims to shrink. If your pressure is too low, the tire may come off in the event of an impact on a curb or a corner taken at high speed. As the temperature increases, tire pressure increases.
We will always choose a pressure that is too high rather than too low. Too low pressure increases rolling resistance, tire wear and fuel consumption. It’s also dangerous,” says Matti Morri.