The tires on your vehicle undergo some of the most strenuous activities that the vehicle performs. They are always in contact with the road and experience many different types of debris and erosion. Fighting off problems with preventative maintenance is a solution to maximizing your tire’s life. Having your tire pressure checked, your tires rotated, and a wheel alignment done are just some examples. However, knowing and understanding the signs that something is wrong and that you need tire repair is also essential for your tire’s life cycle. You don’t want to end up on the side of the road with a blown tire because you didn’t know the signs that something was wrong. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about a nail, metal chunk, or glass sitting on the road ready to damage your tires, but there are several other ways that your tires could become damaged you might not know about.
Types of Tire Damage
Many different types of damage can occur on your tires. If you notice any of these trends happening to you, you might need tire repair! Observing and identifying the different types of tire damage will allow you to confidently figure out what kind of tire repair you may need.
- Regular Wear – Regular wear is normal as long as it occurs evenly across all your tires simultaneously. Preventative tire maintenance can help reduce the everyday wear and tear on your tires, but ultimately, they will still degrade over their use.
- Sidewall Damage- Sidewall damage can occur because the tire is thinner and more vulnerable to damages. Bulges here are likely the result of an impact, either from a pothole or a curb, which causes the pressure inside to protrude onto the surface.
- Punctures & Cuts- This is the most common type of tire damage, but it is also the most unexpected. Road debris often contains sharp, foreign objects like glass or stones that can rupture your tire and cause a leak.
- Irregular Tread Wear- There are many types of irregular tread wear that can occur due to overinflated tires (Center wear) or misaligned tires (one-sided wear). The amount and location of wear can indicate why your vehicle’s tires are damaged.
- Cracked Tire Damage- Cracked tire damage is generally caused by bad road conditions but can be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun.
Indicators that you need tire repair
There are several indicators that your vehicle might need tire repair. The first is a flat tire! If your tire is leaking air, you need to get it repaired; any consistent change in tire pressure could be an issue! If you notice a reduction in the handling of your vehicle, you could also need tire repair. Another indicator of repair to look out for is bulges on the sidewall of your tire. Visually looking at your tires to see where the erosion on your tires can indicate a need for tire repair if they are not eroding in the correct area. Lastly, check the tread on your tires; you can do this by using the penny method. You first put a penny in one of the ribs of the tire, Lincoln’s head pointed towards the tread. If the top of his head disappears, you are good to go, but it may be time for a tire replacement if you can see his entire head.
