Can too much air in tires cause vibration? Tire vibration is a common problem that many car owners face on daily basis. It has a negative impact on the driving experience and vehicle handling. And the main culprit behind are overinflated tires– tires that contain too much air in them.
Therefore, in today’s article we are going to analyze how too much air in tire causes vibration. What are the performance issues related to it? And how we can resolve them.
Understanding Tire Vibration
Tire vibration refers to shaking or trembling movement produced in the car when it is on the road. This vibration is mainly caused by an imbalance or improper inflation of the tires. As maintaining properly balanced and inflated tires is the foremost recommendation to prevent vibration issues.
Though there are other factors too like worn suspension components, bent wheels, and uneven tire wear that too can contribute to produce vibrations.
Effects of Overinflated Tires
Overinflated tires have higher air pressure than the recommended range. This, in turn, reduces the tire’s contact patch and its adherence to the road surface. It also increases the chances of hydroplaning on wet roads.
Thus, ultimately affects the vehicle handling. As makes it feel stiff and bouncy as overinflated tires transmit more road shock into the cabin than in normal conditions. Hence, decreasing the overall ride comfort too.
Vibration as a Symptom of Overinflation
Excess air pressure in the tires can cause vibration by making the tires bounce over road imperfections rather than absorbing them. As the altered natural frequency of the tire creates resonances that amplify vibrations. Overinflation also causes accelerated tread wear in the middle of the tire, leading to imbalance and vibrations over time.
Identifying and Diagnosing Tire Vibration
How can we diagnose that the vibrations produced in the vehicle are due to too much air in the tires? Telltale signs of vibration include shaking of the steering wheel and floorboard, typically worsening with speed.
Overinflated tires may show uneven tread wear at the center and produce a harsh ride too. Moreover, I do recommend checking and comparing inflation pressures to specifications. And for doing that, check the recommended tire pressure on a placard in the driver’s side door jamb.
And to find the tire pressure of your vehicle, make use of the pressure gauge for your vehicle.
Resolving Tire Vibration
Now to resolve the tire vibrations, we have to take the vehicle tires to the recommended pressure. There are two means to do it.
The first is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), or use a quality pressure gauge to check the inflation pressure in each tire and adjust as needed to specifications.
After knowing the pressure we we have to bring these tires back to the recommended pressure.
In addition, I recommend to recheck pressure levels after a few days. Refer to the door jamb or owner’s manual for recommended pressures.
Preventing Tire Vibration
One of the best means to avoid this issue is to prevent this vibration from happening. Always check inflation pressures at least monthly and before long trips.
Also, inspect tread depth and wheel alignment regularly. Maintain recommended pressures for optimal performance.
Avoid potholes and curbs to prevent wheel damage. Rotate tires every 5,000-8,000 miles.
Conclusion
To summarize, we have learned that too much air in tires cause vibration. Paying attention and addressing vibration issues early improves comfort and safety. Monitoring inflation pressure as part of regular tire maintenance is essential. Identifying and resolving problems promptly gets you back on the road with a smooth ride. Consult tire professionals for persistent cases.
I am Kashif Riaz – founder and author at Tiremonk.com. I am an automotive DIY enthusiast and tire blogger with a background in Mechanical Engineering. I have been in the field for more than seven years. I love to write about automobiles, especially about their tires – design, construction, functioning, and maintenance.
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