We think every petrolhead around the world loves to juggle with tire pressure every now and then. Maintaining a correct inflation requires skill and will help optimize tire wear, performance and fuel economy.
An underinflated tire is known to have more grip by increasing the size of its contact patch (contact with the road), but will bend more as it rolls. This will accumulate heat, increase rolling resistance and cause a reduction in fuel economy. Furthermore, you won’t steer properly and probably end up in a ditch.
An overinflated tire is known to improve fuel economy, but will become too stiff and the size of its contact patch will reduce. The tire and the rim could damage more easily when running over potholes, you won’t brake very efficiently and probably end up in a ditch.
Overall, maintain the correct psi recommended by the manufacturer and everything will be just fine.
But watch what happens if you way overinflate an old tire. Way, way overinflate…
By Bogdan Zoltan