Overinflated tyres can make driving uncomfortable and even dangerous, reducing grip and increasing the risk of punctures. This guide explains how to safely reduce tyre pressure using a standard fuel station pump, and how to recognise when your tyres may need professional attention or replacement.
With your car tyres making constant and continuous contact with the road surface while driving, it’s fair to say that tyre maintenance is one of the most important factors in owning a car.
Amongst the various checks that drivers should conduct on their tyres, is pressure – that is, the amount of air inside the tyres. Overinflation and underinflation can both have a significant impact on the performance and safety of the vehicle, not to mention the longevity of the tyres’ lifespan. And while underinflation tends to be easy to spot, owing to the slight flattening of the tyre as it turns, overinflation can be a bit more challenging to identify.
In this article, we’re covering the signs of overinflation and what to do to reduce tyre pressure, bringing your tyres back under control.
Signs of Overinflation
When tyres are overinflated, or have too much air inside them, the surface which makes contact with the road is decreased.
Drivers will typically notice, therefore, an excess of wear on a central line around the middle of the tyre, as well as a stiffer structure.
From a driving perspective specifically, overinflated tyres tend to have less grip and traction with the road surface, meaning a high risk of lost control. Finally, tyres which have too much air in them contribute towards a bumpy and more uncomfortable drive.
Why is Overinflation So Dangerous?
To understand why overinflated tyres are dangerous, you need to consider the impact of tyres with very little flexibility, and a reduced level of contact with the road surface.
When tyres are overinflated and the rubber is stretched, the ability to flex and adjust according to the road surface is reduced – therefore increasing the risk of punctures and/or blowouts when hitting potholes or debris.
Alongside the increased risk of damage, other issues that relate to overinflation include:
- Reduced traction, meaning less grip and a potential loss of control
- Uneven wear and tear, with the highest rate of tear affecting the central panel around the middle of the tyre
- A more uncomfortable driving experience, with driver and passengers able to feel every lump and bump on the road
Suffice to say, while underinflation tends to be the issue that attracts the most attention, overinflation can create just as much in the way of risk for drivers and passengers. That’s why being able to check tyre pressure and adjust it – up or down – is so important.
How to Reduce Tyre Pressure Safely and Effectively
Most drivers know that UK fuel stations are equipped with pressure pumps, that allow drivers to add more air to their tyres as required. But did you know that these also allow for air to be removed, therefore reducing the pressure of tyres with ease and convenience?
The process of removing air and reducing tyre pressure is much the same as that to add more air. You simply remove the cap on the tyre valve and set the machine PSI to that which is recommended for your vehicle and current passenger weight.
You then fix the pressure pump to the valve and let the pump remove air from the tyre until it reads at the correct level according to what you entered into the machine.
