Safety Alerts
Driving on tires with too little air pressure is dangerous. Your tires will get overheated from driving while under-pressure. This can cause a sudden tire failure that could lead to serious personal injury or death.
For example, a set of four P235/75R15 tires are rated for a load of 6,840 pounds at 30 psi. Did you know, at 20 psi, the load rating for the same tires is only 5,610 pounds? That is a 1,230 pound drop in load rating. Said another way, if your tires were adequately rated for the load at 30 psi, your vehicle is now overweight by 1,230 pounds. This under-pressure condition is almost certain to cause the following problems:
1. damage to the tire leading to tire failure.
2. adverse effects to vehicle handling.
3. reduction of tire life.
4. increase in fuel consumption.
Check your tire inflation before every trip. Tires can lose 1 psi (pound per square inch) per month under normal conditions. Additionally, tires can lose 1 psi for every 10° F temperature drop. Your investment in the finest recreational vehicles made is riding on the tires you maintain. Your life and the life of others may also depend upon your attention to this important detail.
Topic suggested by John Plaxco, Past President, Carolinas Unit of NC
Information from Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Company, January 2006, http://www.aboutwsca.org/contracts/files/BSFS_06Warranty_pt2.pdf