Which issue is associated with under-inflated tires?

• A. Excess wear on the inner tread
• B. Reduced risk of hydroplaning
• C. Excess wear on outer edges and greater chance of hydroplaning
• D. Improved traction in dry conditions

Answer: (C)

Under-inflated tires primarily lead to excess wear on the outer edges of the tread and increase the chances of hydroplaning. When tires are not properly inflated, they tend to flatten out on the sides, causing the outer edges to make more contact with the road surface. This uneven wear pattern not only shortens the lifespan of the tire but also affects handling and traction.

Additionally, under-inflated tires have a larger contact patch with the road, which can make them more susceptible to hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tire and the road, causing a loss of traction. Since under-inflated tires do not properly channel water away from their surface, the risk of hydroplaning increases. Therefore, the correct choice correctly identifies these issues related to under-inflation.

In contrast, the other choices present inaccuracies regarding tire performance. For example, excess wear on the inner tread would not typically result from a lack of inflation but rather from misalignment or over-inflation. Similarly, reduced risk of hydroplaning and improved traction in dry conditions would contradict the negative impacts that under-inflated tires have on vehicle performance and safety.