The check engine light is an indicator of various issues with a car. Here a question arises, “Can low tire pressure cause check engine light?”
The tire is the main wheel power of your car, so you must keep the tire pressure at an optimum level. For this, you need to know the signs of low tire pressure.
Read the whole article to get your answer. After completing reading, you will also be able to solve the problem of low tire pressure.
Can Low Tire Pressure Cause Check Engine Light?
Yes, low tire pressure can cause the check engine light. Because an under-pressure tire effects your car’s engine to a great extent,
Under-inflated tires are less efficient in proper usage of fuel as they are more difficult to roll than properly inflated tires.
When the tires are low, it takes more energy to drive the vehicle, and the engine needs to work harder to compensate for the increased energy requirement.
This excess pressure on the engine makes the check engine light come on and lets you know about taking effective steps to fix it.
The Effects of Low Tire Pressure on Your Vehicle
There are a lot of things that can cause your car’s tire pressure to drop, and some of them are things like the outside air temperature and holes in the tire.
It is a fact that for every 10 degrees that the temperature drops, the air in the tires gets a little less.
Many things can go wrong with your car when you have low tire pressure. This is why you need to check the pressure every now and then to make sure it isn’t too low or too high.
The following are some of the things that will happen to your car if your tire pressure is low,
Lessening The Gas Mileage
If you reduce the amount of pressure in your car, you will get less mileage out of it.This means that you will have to spend more money on fuel.
If the tires are properly inflated, it will help you get more gas on an all-around basis. This also makes the car easier to drive and more efficient.
Having under-inflated tires can make your car use more energy so that the tires can move the right way and at the right speed.
Increasing Fume emissions
Low tire pressure also causes more fumes to be released because of the lower fuel economy. Underinflated tires use more energy to keep the car moving.
Not only that, but you also have to refuel more often. This is what led to more pollution.
With less fuel efficiency comes more pollution, because you’ll have to fill up more often because your gas mileage has gone down.
Under-inflated tires also produce a lot of exhaust fumes because it takes more energy to get the car moving in a straight line.
Lessening Tire’s Tread Time.
It is true that low tire pressure can cause the tread to wear out more quickly. People who don’t put enough pressure in their tires can cut the tread life of their cars by up to 25%.
You will have to buy new tires more often because it is dangerous to drive on tires with less than a certain amount of tread. Here’s how to figure out if it’s time to change your tire.
Causing Tire Failure
Tire failure is one of the most dangerous things that can happen if your car has low tire pressure.
There will be more friction and heat if the tires aren’t inflated properly, which is why it’s important to check the tire pressure. Having tires blow out can cause a very bad accident.
How To Fix The Problem Of Low Pressure In Tires
Remove the valve stem cap.
Take off the plastic cap that is on top of the valve stem.
On steel rims with wheel covers, you may also need to take off the cover to clean the rims. Keep it safe, because you’ll need to screw the cap into place.
Unless you want dirt and other debris to get into the valve stem and clog it up when you go to inflate or measure the pressure in your tires.
Use a tire pressure gauge to find out how much pressure is in your tires
Place the end of the tire gauge’s hose on the valve. Push as hard as you need to, so there is no hissing noise when you do it. To be sure, look at the reading.
On analog gauges, the needle should move right away, and you should see that. On digital gauges, though, you may have to push a button to start it.
It’s time to figure out what kind of tire pressure your car needs to run.
Make Sure Your Car’s Tires Are At The Right Pressure.
Once you know how much pressure is in your tire, it’s best to compare it to the recommended pressure first.
There is a sticker on the sill of the driver’s or passenger’s door that tells you how much pressure to put in the tires of your car.
A good idea is to look at the owner’s manual for help if that doesn’t help you find it where you look. The tire should not be inflated if it has the same pressure as it should.
Make the tires fuller by using an air pump.
It’s important to make sure the hose doesn’t move when you put it on the valve.
The tire won’t be able to be filled up if you hear a hissing sound. When you use some air pumps, you might need to hold the end of the air hose against the valve stem.
Then, pump for a while. Each time you get on your bike, check the tire pressure for 15 to 30 seconds. Then, put the plastic cap back on the valve stem.
FAQs about Low Tire Pressure
What Will Happen If I Drive With A Low Tire Pressure?
Tire pressure can make it dangerous to drive if it is too low. The tires can wear out early if the tire pressure is too low. This can also cause the tire to break down.
People who drive on underinflated wheels can make their tires last longer and get less gas mileage. They can also be dangerous if they’re driven for too long.
How Long Can You Drive With A Low Tire Pressure?
It can be driven for 50 miles at 50 mph if there is full pressure loss and limited mobility. People drive in different ways and at different speeds.
They also drive on different types of roads, in different weather conditions, and with different loads. All of these things will affect how far the car can run flat.
Does Tire Pressure Affect Acceleration ?
It is possible for low tire pressure to slow down the car’s speed, but it isn’t always the case.
People are more likely to have their tires touch the ground when they have less pressure in them.
Because there is more surface area, your car will be able to move faster.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have got the answer to the question, “ can low tire pressure cause check engine light?” low tire pressure is an unavoidable problem which will give you the indication of your car issue.
Do not take the problem lightly as it is connected to your engine, fuel as well as to the wellbeing of your car.
Take the tips we have given in this article. You will find them effective to solve the low pressure related problems in your car.
