I'm sure we have all seen a car dealership technician pumping up the tires on a vehicle and wondered why they do this before you take delivery. We'll look at some of the potential reasons why they would overinflate your tires and the impact they could have on your driving experience.
So why do car dealers overinflate vehicles' tires before delivery?
Car dealerships overinflate the tires of sold vehicles to reduce the risk of the tires being under-inflated. It is a way to ensure that the car delivers the best fuel economy and performance. It also helps protect the tires from damage.
Dealers also ensure that all vehicles are delivered with properly inflated tires. It is crucial for brand-new cars because most people, especially new car owners, don't know how to check their tire pressure at home or have a good quality pressure gauge handy.
Car dealers are also concerned about liability issues. If they sell a vehicle with improperly inflated tires, and the buyer suddenly gets into an accident—the liability may fall on their side. They do not want to be held responsible for accidents caused by tire problems. With the correct inflation of the tires before delivery, such mishaps can be avoided when the car has been turnover to the new owner.
What should you do if your tires are overinflated?
If your tires are overinflated, you should take the following steps to ensure they are at the correct pressure:
- Locate your tire's valve stem and remove the small cap that covers it. Keep the cap in a safe place, as you will need it again later.
- Use a tire pressure gauge to measure your tire's current PSI (pounds per square inch).
- Compare the PSI reading with the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. You can find the proper air pressure in your vehicle's owner's manual or on the sticker located on the door jamb.
- If your tire pressure exceeds the recommended PSI, release air from the tire by pressing the small pin inside the valve stem with the tire pressure gauge or another small tool. Be careful in letting too much air out at once.
- Continuously check the tire pressure using the gauge until it matches the recommended PSI for your vehicle.
- Replace the valve stem cap once the tire pressure is at the proper level.
Remember to always keep a tire pressure gauge handy and check your tire pressure regularly to ensure your tires are properly inflated and safe for driving.
What are the effects of overinflated tires on vehicles?
- Premature tire wear
Tire experts say that driving with overinflated tires is one of the top causes of premature tire wear. To understand why this happens, you need to know how tires work.
Tires comprise three parts: treads, belts, and beads. The treads and belts provide traction, and the bead holds the tire on the wheel. When you drive at high speeds, your tires compress and expand, causing heat build-up inside the tire. If your tires are overinflated, they cannot expand properly and begin to bulge at the top of their casing, destroying their structure and ability to grip the road properly. Overheating causes premature wear and sidewall cracking on both sides of your off-road tires.
- Poor ride quality
Your car's tires are an essential part of your car's suspension system. The suspension allows the wheels to move up and down so that you can drive smoothly on the road. When you have overinflated tires, you are putting stress on that suspension system and causing poor ride quality.
When a tire is overinflated, it will put more stress on the wheel bearings. If a tire is inflated too much, it will also reduce the amount of “cushioning” between the wheel and the road surface. When this occurs, it causes your vehicle to bounce around more when traveling at high speeds or when driving over rough terrain like gravel or dirt roads.
- Less traction
Inflating your tires to the maximum recommended pressure will cause them to heat up faster and wear out more quickly. Traction is governed by the amount of rubber in contact with the road. When you inflate your tires to their maximum pressure, less of the tread touches the ground — because there's more air around it — and thus, less traction is available for acceleration and braking. You'll have less control over your vehicle if your tires are overinflated.
- Braking issues
Overinflated tires are more likely to overheat and wear out faster, which can cause braking issues. If the air pressure inside your tires is too high, then each time you apply pressure to the brake pedal, there will be less space for air inside the tire and more weight pushing down on the rotors. It puts too much stress on the brakes and causes them to overheat faster than usual.
Your vehicle's brakes are designed to work best at a specific tire pressure. It is called optimal tire pressure. If your tires are overinflated, they don't absorb as much energy when you brake, which reduces your vehicle's stopping power.
Which is better to drive on? Overinflated tires or Underinflated tires?
Both overinflated and underinflated tires can pose risks while driving, but it is crucial to understand the specific issues associated with each.
Overinflated tires have a reduced contact patch with the road, leading to less traction, reduced braking performance, and a harsher ride. They are also more susceptible to damage from road hazards. On the other hand, underinflated tires have a larger contact patch, which creates more friction and generates more heat. It can cause the tire's belts to separate and come apart, leading to increased wear on the tread and decreased fuel efficiency.
Driving with underinflated tires may be slightly less risky than driving with overinflated tires, as the former provides more traction in various weather conditions. However, overinflated and underinflated tires can lead to compromised vehicle handling, increased tire wear, and reduced fuel efficiency. The best practice is maintaining your tires at the recommended pressure specified in your vehicle's owner's manual or on the door jamb sticker. All kinds of tires, even reputable ones like Toyo tires, must be inflated to the proper pressure to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Conclusion
Overinflating your tires isn't an entirely uncommon practice. It's important to note that this may not apply to all car dealerships, but it does apply to a significant portion. If you notice that your newly bought car has high tire pressure, adjust the pressure to a proper level as soon as you can.
