If your tyre keeps losing pressure but shows no visible puncture, there’s usually more to the story. From temperature changes to faulty valves and slow leaks, several hidden issues can cause gradual air loss. In this article, we break down the common causes — and how to protect your tyres and fuel efficiency in the long run.
Most of us would assume that, if our tyre is losing pressure when we’re driving, it’s because of a puncture caused by a pothole, wear and tear, or debris on the road.
However, this is not always the case – often leaving drivers stumped as to what is causing their tyre to continually lose pressure.
In this article, we’re sharing some of the causes behind tyre pressure loss, why losing pressure can cause lasting damage to both your bank balance and your wheels, and how to minimise the risk of pressure loss.
The Risks of Tyre Pressure Loss
When a tyre does not hold its pressure properly, it is not only more dangerous to drive on but effects the comfort of the drive and your fuel efficiency.
A tyre that is not pumped to the right pressure creates more rolling resistance, meaning that the car uses more fuel to get from point A to point B. It also makes the tyre more susceptible to damage from the road and means that the vehicle is unbalanced.
Finally, tyres that are not properly pumped up do not respond as quickly to braking – meaning that your braking distances are longer, and your ability to stop the car quickly is impaired.
In short, even if just one tyre is affected by pressure loss, the cost to run the car and its overall safety and efficiency is greatly impacted.
Causes of Tyre Pressure Loss
While a puncture is often the leading cause of tyre pressure loss, it is by no means the only explanation.
Some other reasons behind tyre pressure loss include:
- Fluctuations in temperature, with a drop in temperature correlating to a drop in the tyre pressure PSI reading
- Faulty or defective valve, which is no longer airtight and therefore causes a very slow and gradual loss of air pressure
- Distorted wheel rim, which leads to a loss of air pressure from around the seal connecting the wheel with the inner edge of the tyre
- Osmosis and the natural loss of air over time! As tyres are used and subjected to time on the road, they inevitably lose pressure
- A slow puncture. Still a form of puncture, though not one which is immediately obvious when visually inspecting the tyre.
All of these causes of tyre pressure loss are why it’s so important to keep track of your tyre pressure – especially ahead of longer journeys.
In the UK, air pressure can be checked at more fuel stations, using the self service pump. The optimal pressure for your tyres, based on your vehicle and passenger weight, can be found on the inside wall of the driver door on most standard cars.
