What happens to your tire when you hit a curb?
A major problem resulting from hitting the curb is throwing your car’s suspension out of alignment. This will lead to uneven tire wear in as little as 200 miles. Your tire may also have suffered damage to the sidewall that could lead to a possibly dangerous blowout.
Can you get a flat tire from hitting the curb?
So can you get a flat tire from hitting a curb? Yes. When this happens, the tight seal given to the tire by the rim is lost and air can then freely escape. Secondly, the sidewall of the tire can be torn since it is the most vulnerable part of the tire.
What happens when your car hits the curb?
I start by inspecting the wheel and tire that made contact with the curb. This is usually the right front tire in the United States. When it comes to tire construction the tread is stronger than the side wall and much thicker. Often you’ll see chunks taken out of the tire side wall and sometimes there’s wheel damage.
What to look for on a road test after a Curb contact?
There are things that you can look for on a diagnostic road test after the curb contact. I recommend finding an empty parking lot and driving the car slowly in a straight line. Compare this with the position of the steering wheel.
Which is the stronger tire side wall or front tire?
This is usually the right front tire in the United States. When it comes to tire construction the tread is stronger than the side wall and much thicker. Often you’ll see chunks taken out of the tire side wall and sometimes there’s wheel damage. This is usually found on the edge near the sealing bead.
What happens to a tire when it hits a curb?
However, the valve stem, which is used to inflate the tire and protrudes from the side, may also become damaged. This leads to a slow and persistent leak and an unexpected flat tire the morning after the strike.
What should I do if I hit the curb?
Now, just because you hit the curb does not mean you automatically need a wheel alignment. But you should test your car for any issues. Drive to an empty parking lot in larkston, MI and start by driving in a straight line. Compare your direction with the position of your steering wheel.
What happens if you hit a curb at 50 mph?
Next you want to note is the height of the curb. If you are driving a car at 50 mph and hit a curb that was higher than six inches, you are most likely to some serious damage to the front end. But if you hit a small, three inch curb going only five miles per hour, then you might not have any damage at all.
What should I do if I hit a curb in Holly MI?
If you notice any cracks or chucks taken out, you might also have wheel damage and should get in for Holly, MI auto repair right away. If the tire and wheel look ok, the impact could still have an effect on your alignment.