Identifying Common Tire Problems
Riding along the highway in your sporty little car, you hear the pop and feel your car pull to the left. You dutifully keep the vehicle under control and make it to the shoulder where you inspect your blown tire.
A tire puncture is common on highways. Debris from other vehicles lays on the asphalt waiting for a tire to pick it up. After a few miles, the debris flies off, leaving a small puncture. Miles later, the puncture has heated to the point of bursting.
You have no control other than safely maneuvering to the shoulder so an accident does not exacerbate the situation.
Take care of your tires; your tires do a lot for you
The tires on your car take a lot of abuse as they hold your car to the road. They make tight turns, stop on a dime and travel on surfaces at extreme temperatures. Check your tires often and inspect them thoroughly before embarking on a long trip. Your safety depends on your awareness of common tire problems.
Keep proper air pressure in each tire
The air pressure in each tire is essential for optimized gas efficiency and tire longevity. Air evaporates during tire usage and the need to add air increases as your tires age. Check the air pressure in each tire every time you get gas. The maximum pressure per square inch (psi) appears on the tire.
Check for objects stuck in your tires
If you are adding air often, inspect each tire for foreign objects stuck in the surface. Nails, glass shards and other projectiles lodge in the treads as you drive city streets.
Do not pull objects out of your tires. Take your car to a tire shop and explain the problem to a mechanic. He will pull the object out and either replace the tire, or plug the hole left by removal of the object.
Proper tire alignment and balance
When your tires come out of alignment or proper balance, your car will pull to one side. This problem requires a mechanic. The mechanic puts your car on a rack to raise it off the ground.
Tires improperly aligned or balanced cause your car to consume more fuel. Have a mechanic realign and balance your tires when you feel them pulling to one side.
Uneven tread wear
The tread on each tire should be the same depth all the way across the tire. Unusual wear on the inside or outside tread indicates an alignment problem. This also causes increased fuel consumption and leads to frequent tire purchases.
Regular tire rotation increases the life of your tires and gives mechanics an opportunity to fix problems causing uneven tread wear. Have the tires rotated at the same time you have the oil changed.
Steel-belted radial or not
The wrong tires cause problems when driving on snow or rain. Steel-belted radial tires increase friction, which reduces sliding on slippery roadways. In snowy regions, it is common for worn tires to lose traction and slide. The driver has no control in these dangerous conditions.
Steel-belted radials last longer than other tires. The tires are more puncture resistant and the tread wears slower. The cost is a bit more but people find their durability is well worth the extra money. Common punctures and tire blow-outs are reduced greatly when this type of tire is used.
Steel-belted radials reduce the need for tire chains in snowy regions. When used on front-wheel drive vehicles, the need for chains disappears at lower elevations. The need for tire damaging chains in high elevations becomes almost obsolete.
You cannot eliminate some common tire problems. Close inspection of your tires prolongs their life and decreases unexpected blowouts and flats. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended psi and in alignment. The fuel efficiency of your automobile depends on proper tire maintenance.
