Why Is ONE of My Tires Always Low?

You know the routine.

DING!

Low tire pressure.

You stop and put air in the tire.

A couple of weeks later…

DING!

Same tire.  More air. Then it happens again. At this point, you and the air pump are basically dating.

Here’s what I want you to know:

If the same tire keeps losing air, there’s probably a reason.

Putting air into it may solve today’s problem. It doesn’t necessarily solve why the air keeps leaving.

Where Did My Air Go?

There are several possibilities. You could have a small nail or screw in the tire.

The valve stem could be leaking. There could be a leak where the tire seals against the wheel.

The wheel itself could be damaged or corroded. Or the tire could have damage that needs to be inspected.

Temperature also matters. Tire pressure naturally changes as temperatures rise and fall, which is why that first really cold morning can suddenly light up your tire-pressure warning.

But if one particular tire repeatedly needs air while the others are holding pressure?

That’s a clue.

“But It’s Only a Slow Leak.”

That’s exactly why people ignore it. You fill it today and it seems fine.

Then you fill it again next month. And again.

A slow leak can eventually become a bigger problem—and driving with an underinflated tire can affect handling, braking, tire wear and fuel economy.

So don’t just keep feeding it air. Find the leak.

Don’t Forget the Spare

While we’re talking about tire pressure… When was the last time you checked your spare tire?

Exactly. Your spare can sit untouched for years quietly losing pressure.

Then the day you actually need it… Surprise! So when you’re checking your tires, give the spare some love too, if your vehicle has one.

Your Auto Know AHA! 

Your tire-pressure light isn’t saying:

“PUT AIR IN ME.”

It’s really saying: “CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE AND FIND OUT WHY IT’S LOW.”

There’s a difference. Air is the first step.

Diagnosis is the next step when the problem keeps coming back.

And remember: the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is generally found on the label inside the driver’s door area—not the maximum pressure molded onto the sidewall of the tire.

Check your tires when they’re cold (less than 5 miles of driving)  and get into the habit of looking at them.

Your tires are the only parts of your car touching the road. They deserve a little attention.

Now you Auto Know.