Will reducing tyre pressures for a better ride mean more damage from potholes?

I drive a 1.4 Suzuki Vitara with the Continental tyres set at the higher Eco pressure setting for economy. This gives great miles per gallon on motorways, but on pot-holed roads around town the ride can be bumpy. I can reduce the tyre pressure to the lower Comfort setting, but would softer tyres be more likely to suffer damage from pot holes? Alternatively, is there another make of tyre that would give both good economy and a softer ride?

Asked on 29 April 2025 by Ronald Gribble

Answered by David Ross
High tyre pressures reduce the likelihood of a puncture occurring from the tyre being pinched but also carry a potential higher risk of being punctured by a sharp edge or debris than a lower pressure, so there is no perfect pressure but a compromise between the two extremes is likely to give the best puncture resistance. You can use a retail website such as blackcircles.com to view a wide range of tyres in the required size which also shows the economy rating, but ride quality is typically determined by the aspect ratio or sidewall size of a tyre in relation to its overall size and tyre pressures. You may also wish to consider fitting smaller wheels, as these would typically have a taller sidewall for better ride quality and less width, which usually means lower rolling resistance and therefore better fuel economy.
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