Does overinflating auto tires cause poor handling in inclement weather?

Question

Overinflating tires is a sure way to reduce the MPG of your vehicle. I know that on dry roads handling is the same, how is the handling on rain or snowy roads?

Answer 1

Yes ...........you will have less rubber on the road with will give you less traction....

Answer 2

Manufacturers have a reason for making recommendations; they did the testing and want to avoid liability suits over faulty products.  Overinflation is good for early blowouts, reducing contact with the road, and possibly greater risk of lost control due to hydroplaning and skidding.  Underinflation may reduce skidding and hydroplaning, but increases friction with the road surface thus reducing gas mileage.  It also makes breaking the seal with the rim more likely when you turn a corner.

Answer 3

Lets see...

Over inflated tyres cause yer vehicle to run at higher or maybe smoother at higher speeds. This may also probably reduce fuel consumption, significantly. However it does reduce the contact/grip of the tyre surface to the road.

Underinflated tyres however, allows for better grip because of the increase in width of the rod to tyre contact surface. This cause a rapid wear in the outter sides of yer tyres and will require more energy or inertia to ove the vehicle.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

~ Hex

Answer 4

UCANTCME is right, and also you will wear out the tread at the center of your tire, have poor cornering control and your vehicle will be less stable in poor weather too, due to the lack of tire surface on the road.

Answer 5

Over inflating will increase your MPG because there is less of the tire in contact with the road (less rolling friction).  However, it has the opposite effect on handling because of the reduced contact area.  In wet weather you want as much surface contact with the road as possible, so the tires need to be inflated to the proper pressure.  Driving in snow is kind of like driving on sand. Reducing the pressure will cause the tires to ride on top of the snow instead of trying to cut down through it.  Over and under inflated tires will also wear out quicker, and can cause blowouts if you should hit a pothole or big bump in the road.  Your best bet is to keep them inflated to the proper pressure (usually 32-35psi) at all times.

Answer 6

Yes it does.  It causes hydroplaning on the freeway.

Answer 7

Overinflating tires will increase your MPGs not decrease it.  It seems like this is what you meant to say.  The handling will be worse on dry and wet roads.  Overinflating your tires gives them less of a contact area with the ground.  This is why you get increased mileage, but it also causes worse handling.  It will also wear your tires out faster.  The middle of the tires will wear before the outside edges.  If you inflate the tires more than the max pressure listed on the sidewall you run a good risk of tire blowout.

Answer 8

That is the worst thing that you can do.

Answer 9

Definitely will negatively affect the handling in snow. We deflate them a little f or better snow traction. I suspect they would not be so good in rain also.