Is It Safe to Drive with Low Tire Pressure

That tire pressure warning light came on and you're not sure how serious it is. Whether it's a slow leak or a sudden drop matters a lot.

Driving with slightly low tire pressure — a few PSI below recommended — is manageable for a short distance to reach an air pump. Driving with significantly low pressure is dangerous. An underinflated tire generates excessive heat from flexing, which can cause a blowout at highway speeds. It also reduces your handling and braking ability, increases stopping distance, and wears the edges of the tire much faster. If a tire looks visibly flat, don't drive on it at all — you'll destroy the tire and possibly the wheel.

Tire pressure drops for several reasons: a slow puncture from a nail or screw, a leaking valve stem, a cracked or corroded wheel that doesn't seal properly, or simply temperature changes. Cold weather drops tire pressure about 1 PSI for every 10-degree temperature drop. Check the recommended pressure on the sticker inside your driver's door jamb, not the number on the tire sidewall. Fill to the recommended number when the tires are cold.

Ez Mobile Mechanic can help with tire pressure issues, slow leaks, and TPMS diagnostics throughout Jacksonville. As a mobile mechanic in Jacksonville, we come to your location to check pressures, find leaks, and get you sorted out. If you've got a flat, we can swap to your spare on-site. No tow truck needed. Call (904) 788-7272.