There are many things out there that can damage your vehicle’s tires; it isn’t just nails. Keeping your tires well-maintained helps them stand up to the abuse the road dishes out on them, so it’s a good idea to check air pressure regularly and have your tires rotated and wheels balanced every 6,000 miles. When you do this, your tires might be better prepared for the five things that can cause tire damage listed below.
Hitting or Rubbing the Curb
None of us like to parallel park, unless you have brand new car that parks for you. Most people don’t, and it’s important that you don’t rub against the curb or hit while you’re navigating into the space. Even if you can pull forward into a curbside parking space, make sure you don’t rub against it. The sides and shoulders of your tires are weaker than the tread and can easily be damaged if scraped.
Potholes
You probably already knew this one but potholes wreak havoc on your tires. The worst kind of potholes to run over are the ones on asphalt roads rather than dirt or gravel roads, but all potholes can easily damage your tires. The uneven terrain flexes and stretches your tires in ways they wouldn’t normally go. This is why potholes can cause so much tire damage, especially if you go over them too fast.
Gravel Roads
Speaking of gravel roads, these rock-laden thoroughfares can really do a number on your tires, especially if you purchase standard tires. Gravel roads are made from crushed quarry rock that is usually about 3/4-of-an-inch. Off-road tires are designed to handle the jagged edges of these rocks, but the standard tires found on cars, small trucks, and SUVs aren’t.
Sudden Acceleration/Slamming the Brakes
How you drive can also affect your tire tread life and thereby damage your tires. If you have a habit of punching the accelerator and slamming the brake pedal, you are causing tire damage because you are increasing the friction between your vehicle’s tires and the road. Speeding can also increase this friction, and all actions damage your tires eventually.
Road Debris
Finally, nails aren’t the only road debris you should worry about. Anything in the road can damage your tires, including tree branches, rocks, construction gravel, tire rubber… anything. Keep a wary eye on the road while you drive to avoid running over things. The more time you have to react to something the easier it is to avoid it by changing lanes or safely driving around it.
Accurate Auto Repair can help you keep your tires in tiptop shape. Call us today to schedule a tire inspection, tire repair, or tire replacement.