Tire problems can occur very often as the tires bear the weight of your vehicle and are in constant contact with the road surfaces. Tire problems not only reduce the performance and efficiency of your car but also compromise your safety. Therefore, you should inspect your tires regularly to identify and fix any problems before they lead to costly repairs and replacements. Learn about common tire problems and solutions.
Improperly inflated tires
Among the most basic vehicle maintenance tasks is maintaining proper tire pressure based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, drivers can over- or underinflate their tires, which affects their vehicle’s performance, safety, and tire life.
Excessive air quickly wears down the middle tread, reducing traction and increasing the chance of detonation. On the other hand, underinflated tires cause premature tire shoulder wear. You can correct incorrect tire pressure by inflating or deflating your tires as needed.
Old tires
Over time, your tires naturally wear out and need to be replaced. The tread on the tires wears down and becomes unable to grip the road surface, thus compromising braking and maneuverability. So, make sure you check the tread depth of your tires. Know that the wear level is the minimum legal, so you don’t have to wait until then to replace your tires.
Hole
Punctures are both annoying and problematic and can result in wheel damage and poor vehicle handling and control. If your vehicle pulls to one side while driving or you notice a significant difference in its handling, you may have a puncture. Road debris such as nails, screws, and broken glass are notorious for causing punctures and can reduce tire pressure.
The great thing about punctures is that most of them can be repaired as long as they haven’t damaged the sidewall. A tire specialist or mechanic can help with this. However, bigger punctures usually call for a tire replacement.
Misalignment
One of the main symptoms of misaligned tires is camber wear, which causes more wear on one side of your tire. Although this type of wear is difficult to see, you can tell if the rubber is uneven or heavily worn by feeling the tire. Other symptoms of flat tires include a warped steering wheel and your vehicle leaning to one side.
Misaligned tires reduce your tires’ traction, increase premature wear, and create safety concerns. Thus, consider having a tire specialist retread your tires to restore traction and promote optimum performance.
Unevenly worn tires
Common causes of unevenly worn tires include incorrect tire inflation, misalignment, suspension problems, and unbalanced wheels. Uneven wear occurs in different patterns depending on the cause of the problem.
For example, improper wheel alignment leads to excessive inner or outerwear, while under-inflation leads to edge wear. Worn suspension cupping can cause wear. To solve this problem, consult a professional tire specialist to determine the cause and fix it.
Bulges and cracks
Tire bulges primarily result from impact damage, while cracks spring from UV rays, degradation, and age. If you drive too fast over potholes and bumps, your tires are likely to blow out. As your tires get older, they lose their elasticity and become hard and brittle, resulting in cracks.
Incorrect tire pressure increases your chances of getting a flat tire or a blowout. Fixing bumps and cracks depends on their severity, and a professional mechanic can recommend them accordingly. In severe cases, a tire replacement is required.
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