Underinflated Tyre – Case Study & Research

Many crash cases will result in some query relating to tyres; it may be that the major investigation of the case will centre around a tyre issue where an allegation or suspicion of some tyre related problem is raised. Statistics internationally and locally have shown that the greatest percentage of tyre related issues raised are usually traced back to abuse of tyres such as overloading, previous repairs such as plugs, incorrect tyre pressures, improper vehicle maintenance and therefore inappropriate tyre wear and even other factors such as pothole damage or kerb strikes.
It is somewhat alarming that all too often, it appears that a driver will allege a “blow-out” or tyre failure of some sort being the cause, and thereby assuming that they will have an “escape route”.
In countless cases investigated by the writer, tyre related issues have been raised or were evident, some of which gave rise to many questions that needed answering. One such question is that of “What length of time is required to run a tyre underinflated and show visible signs of running underinflated?”, it is this aspect that is considered herein. The modern tyre is inherently well designed and reliable, able to absorb massive punishment and still remain reliable. This in itself could also be cause for concern, particularly where underinflated tyres may well be in very poor condition internally, but display very little external evidence thereof.
The parameters tested, suggest that very little evidence would be created and shown on a tyre, particularly on the external surface, even under extreme low pressures and over reasonably high driving distances.
The testing re-affirms that the investigation of a crash case where tyre related problems are raised requires particular attention to be paid to all aspects of the tyre and possible effects thereon, especially to the internal examination of the tyre.

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