What happens if I overfill my tires?
It is a common misconception that excessive tire pressure will provide more responsive handling and better fuel efficiency. In fact, excessive pressure is bad for tires and can be dangerous. For better handling and...
It is a common misconception that excessive tire pressure will provide more responsive handling and better fuel efficiency. In fact, excessive pressure is bad for tires and can be dangerous.
For best handling and fuel economy, stick to the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. The optimum tire pressure is specified by your vehicle manufacturer. It is determined by a series of tests and analyzes for each model and takes into account several factors:
- Tire wear and tread life
- Comfortable driving
- Fuel efficiency
- Controllability
It is not recommended to exceed the optimal tire pressure set by the manufacturer for the following reasons:
Tires wear out prematurely. When over-inflated, your tires round out the tread area, causing the center to wear much faster than the outer edges. Your tires may only last half their life as usual.
Excessive pressure can cause loss of traction. Even under normal conditions, you are more prone to loss of traction, a U-turn, or an accident. This is especially noticeable in winter weather.
Excessive inflation creates a stiffer ride. Inflated tires provide a rougher ride, so you'll feel every dip on the road.
For safety reasons, never exceed the maximum tire pressure indicated on the sidewall.
