Vehicle skids are most likely to be Caused by

Vehicle Skids Are Most Likely To Be Caused By

A) Over-inflated tires

B) Under-inflated tires

C) Properly inflated tires

D) None of the above

Answer: B) Under-inflated tires

The tire under-inflation is pointed out as one of the key reasons why vehicles skid. When the tire pressure is low, the contact area of the tire with the road becomes greater, therefore, the sidewalls of the tire become more responsive. This increased flexibility causes the tire to distort during the rotation which in turn affects the stability and tractive effort. As such, it becomes very difficult to manage the car when taking turns or when driving in icy conditions, among others. Tires that are underinflated, similarly have less contact patch, meaning they offer poor grip and the driver is likely to slide off. For instance, consider driving on wet pavement with underinflated tires; this will lead to the sliding of the car during braking or turning. Further, under-inflation may result in an un-even grip which explicitly degrades performance and increases the possibility of a skid or slide. However, under-inflation has an even worse effect on skid-making than over-inflation because the latter decreases the contact patch and grip. But at the same time, the tire is fully contacting the surface to increase the stability, and the traction needed to control the car and prevent skidding, which is important for safety on the road.