What causes sidewall damage on tires?
Road hazards include potholes, debris, and curbs, which can leave a cut or a puncture in the tire. The damage may be immediate, making the tire go flat or explode, or it may be long-lasting. The latter will expand and eventually deflate the tire fully, causing a tire sidewall blowout.
What happens if I replace only one tire?
If half or more of the tread on all four tires is gone, replacing just one tire will result in one wheel spinning at a slower rate than the others, possibly sending false signals to the traction control and antilock braking systems.
What would cause a tire to wear on the outside?
Front tires wearing on the outside edge is usually a result of aging coil springs. As they lose height, so does the vehicle, causing the whole suspension to misalign, especially in camber. If the leaf springs are also sagging or wearing out, they cause caster misalignment, which may worsen the situation.
Should you replace a tire with sidewall damage?
If you experience sidewall tire damage, we recommend that you DON’T drive with your car or even REPAIR the tire. We recommend that you REPLACE the tire. A good rule of thumb to remember is this: when the sidewall is damaged- no matter how small- it’s time to replace the tire.
How long can you drive with sidewall damage?
A damaged sidewall is weakened and could give way at any moment. If you know you have a tire with a damaged sidewall, then you should not drive on that tire at all. Remove the tire from your vehicle and replace it with the spare until you can get a new tire put in its place.
What causes cupping on front tires?
Suspension components like shock absorbers, struts, bushings and others wear out with miles travelled. The result can be a tire that is no longer able to roll smoothly down the road; instead, it bounces slightly. This bouncing creates uneven points of pressure on tires, leading to tire cupping.
When should I worry about tire sidewall damage?
Similarly, sidewall damage is very serious when you can see bubbles in or anywhere around your tire. Like said earlier, any sidewall tire damage must be considered too much, since it can aggravate and lead to much bigger issues.
Why are mismatched wheels and tires dangerous on the road?
Mismatched tires and wheels put constant stress on your vehicle’s suspension and transmission, along with your brakes and ABS system. All of which poses a risk to driving the vehicle and a hazard to other traffic around you.
Why do you need different tires for AWD and 4WD?
When front and rear axles rotate at different speeds, it creates added strain on the vehicle’s driveline. The greater the difference in the tires’ circumferences the greater the resulting strain. For this reason, it’s essential that 4WD and AWD vehicles use tires that are matched in size.
What happens when you over inflate a tire?
Over-inflating a tire decreases the amount of contact the tire has with the road, making it more susceptible to damage when hitting a pothole. Even if the tire tread hasn’t worn down, it doesn’t mean your tires are safe on the road. As tires age, they deteriorate, and, over time, they can become safety hazards.
What happens when you replace a tire with a brand new tire?
However, if you replace a single worn tire with a brand new tire your set will have different tread depths. Tire sets with various wear patterns can change the handling of your vehicle, especially if the weather conditions are hazardous. It can be particularly dangerous if you have replaced multiple tires & wheels with mismatched versions.