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Nov 11, 2022

Have you checked your vehicle’s tire pressure? Driving with low tire pressure causes problems that range from inconvenient to dangerous. What are the signs that your car’s tires are having tire pressure problems? Read on to find out whether it’s time to contact your Kia dealer to get certified tire service. Up close of tire of a car Lanham, MD

Is Your Car’s Tire Pressure Low?

Tires need refilling over time, so it’s best to get in the habit of checking the pressure on a regular basis. However, there are other issues that may cause your tires to deflate, such as:

  • Damage from a nail or other sharp object
  • Temperature changes causing a loss of air density in the tires
  • Bent rims or other structural problems with the wheel
  • Old and worn tires that have reached the end of their lifetime

Signs That Your Tires Are Underinflated

If the pressure in your tires is too low, you’re likely to notice changes in your car’s performance. These could include:

Steering Issues

Underinflated tires will severely affect the handling of your vehicle. It might affect the alignment so that your car feels as though it’s pulling to one side. The steering might feel clumsy or spongy, and the vehicle will take longer to turn.

Stopping Distance

Because underinflated tires don’t have the same grip or traction on the road, you might find that your stopping distances increase, and braking becomes slower.

Lower Fuel Economy

It’s harder for your engine to push the car forward when the tires are too flat, so you might find that you’re spending more at the gas pump.

More Impact

When the pressure is low, your tires will lose the ability to absorb and cushion the effect of bumps and ridges in the road, and the impact will feel stronger.

Tire Warning Light

Many vehicles are fitted with a warning light on the dashboard that will tell you if the pressure is too low. However, this is only activated if a tire is significantly underinflated, meaning that you could still be driving with problem tires before the light comes on.

Why the Pressure in Your Tires Matters

All of these effects mean that driving with low pressure in your tires will undermine your driving experience. More importantly, though, you will put your car at risk of a blowout. Underinflated tires heat up more quickly, and highway driving will put them under pressure that could cause them to collapse, putting you and other people in danger.

Get Your Tire Pressure Inspected in Lanham, MD Today

It’s always a good idea to know the ideal PSI of your tires, and how to check the pressure yourself. However, there are extra advantages to using a professional service, as a technician will be able to rotate your tires, identify underlying problems, and adjust air pressure to allow for temperature changes. For the best tire services, schedule an appointment at DARCARS Lanham Kia, and let us make sure that your car is in optimal condition.