Although modern tires represent amazing feats of technology, they can still be susceptible to a variety of failures. Because such failures often come at the most unexpected moments and can leave you stranded in some dangerous or distant locations, you should know that many tire failures can be prevented if you learn how to inspect and assess the health of your tire.
Protect Tire Tread from Road Hazards
The tread on your tire is designed to grip the road by virtue of the tire’s rubber-like material and the tread channels, which guide water, snow, and mud between the raised tread. By channeling water through the channels, the tire remains in contact with the road. Without it, the tire would skim atop the surface of the rain, which is called hydroplaning. To ensure your tires remain safe, you should rotate them as wear and tear rarely happens in a perfectly even manner. Instead, what happens is that real-world situations wear down the outer or inner edges of your tires. Over time, this unevenness can cause hydroplaning or a flat tire. If you rotate your tires before your tread is worn smooth, you can maintain even wear and tear across the entire surface of your tire and save yourself from having to worry about a potential flat repair.
Sidewall
Sometimes, the side of the tire, known as the sidewall, can be damaged by bumping against a curb, rock, or some other hazard. Usually, the sidewall is tough enough to withstand common bumps, but it can sometimes develop a bubble. If it does, you need to have the tire replaced by a quality tire tech from a reputable dealer like MTS Express.
Unlike the tread, which can be patched, damage to the sidewall cannot usually be fixed. If not replaced, a damaged tire can eventually burst like a balloon, leading to a flat tire and potential damage to your car if the tire bursts while you are on the highway. In terms of being proactive, replacing a tire due to a sidewall bubble is one type of problem that you want to fix before it requires flat repair.
Cracks
Leaving your car in the sun can eventually oxidize the rubber, resulting in cracks. Additionally, not keeping the tires properly inflated can lead to cracks. To protect your tires, you can spray protectant on the tires, and you can keep your tires inflated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The reason these cracks are road hazards is because the material will continue to dry out to the point that a crack deepens and creates a leak. Eventually, you will experience a flat tire. Like a bubble on the sidewall, cracks in your tire should prompt you to seek assistance by a reputable dealer like MTS Express.
Periodic inspection
You should periodically inspect your tires for rocks caught between the tread. Rocks might not normally pose much of a problem, but a sharp piece of gravel or a piece of metal can be pressed through the tire by the weight of the vehicle on the road. Additionally, inspecting the sidewalls for cracks or spots on the tire that might be peeling outward will allow you to catch a minor annoyance before it turns into major road hazards and a safety problem.
Watching the road for shadows
Of course, it is important that you remain observant for debris in the road as a rock or a branch can lead to you being stranded at the edge of the road with a ruined tire. However, you should also remain watchful for shadows, which can indicate potholes. The edge of a pothole can easily puncture your tire if you are driving at high speeds, creating a situation where you might lose control of your car. When driving, if you notice an upcoming shadow, you can steer around it.
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