Common Causes Of Tire Damage
The tires are an oft-overlooked part of your vehicle -- but think about it for a sec. They're the part of your vehicle that actually grips the road. Tires matter so much to the comfort of your drive, performance, poor-weather safety, and the right tires can even give you a quieter ride and better fuel economy. If you're going to invest in a set of new, quality tires at Archer Volkswagen, you want to know how to protect them so they last as long as possible. Just follow the five tips we've gathered below! We'll tell you how to avoid the most common causes of damage to tires and premature tire wear.
5. Underinflated Tire Pressure
The proper pressure to which your tires should be inflated is listed in your car on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb. In some cars, you'll also get an alert in the dashboard if the tire pressure monitoring system detects that your tire pressure has fallen below where it should be -- but if your car lacks such a system, you'll want to test your own tire pressure periodically.
Tires that are underinflated will wear out rapidly on the shoulders. What's more, the sidewall will be weaker and more susceptible to damage, as the proper pressure helps the tire's sidewall support the weight of the car.
4. Overinflated Tire Pressure
By contrast, overinflated tires tend to wear out quickly in the middle. The shoulders of the tire won't touch the ground as much, giving you a reduced contact patch, which can reduce grip and traction. It can also make you more likely to slide on ice, snow or in the rain. To prevent this, make sure to let out a little bit of air if the pressure is too high in your tires.
Remember: Tire pressure fluctuates all the time due to changes in atmospheric temperature, so the pressure in your tires can climb even if you don't actually add any air.
3. Damage From Hitting Curb Or Pothole
To protect your tires as best you can, take care not to go over any high curbs, and navigate around potholes wherever possible to do so safely. When you must interact with a steep curb or pothole, take it slowly. This can give your tire a better chance of withstanding the impact and avoiding a blowout.
Having the correct pressure level in your tires helps, too. An overinflated tire is more likely to suffer a blowout when it hits a pothole; an underinflated tire is more likely to separate from the wheel at the bead if you scrape the wheel against a curb.
2. Puncture Damage
Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of advice on how to avoid puncture damage to your tires. After all, you can't exactly see tiny nails, shards of glass and other puncture risks on the ground as you drive. And swerving to avoid them is not exactly wise even if you could.
If your tires are properly inflated, they're more likely to withstand road debris, but a stray screw or nail can still take out one of your tires at any time. Luckily, a tire that gets punctured in the tread can often be quickly and inexpensively repaired! Sidewall damage, on the other hand, usually cannot be repaired. A tire that suffers a puncture in the sidewall will need to be replaced.
1. Bad Wheel Alignment
To make sure your tires last as long as possible, you'll want to get them rotated regularly and ensure your alignment is correct.
If the wheel alignment on your car is off, it'll cause your tires to experience more wear, as they're working slightly against the direction your car is traveling. To test your alignment, find a long, straight, empty piece of road. Even an empty car park will do. Begin driving forward, then let your hand off the wheel. The car should track perfectly straight even with no steering input. If the car immediately drifts to the left or right when you let go of the wheel, your alignment is significantly off. Getting the alignment regularly sorted out ensures not only your tires but your suspension and steering components will perform better, longer. Furthermore, since different wheels experience different driving forces, rotating your tires helps to spread the wear out evenly, extending the life of your tires even further.
If you're not sure about the condition of your tires, or you have any other questions about your vehicle, just stop by Archer Volkswagen. We provide free, multi-point inspections in our service center, so you know exactly what's up with your ride.