Tyres are one of the most important features of the car as they are the primary point of contact with the surface of the road. They may get damaged due to numerous reasons which might be known or unknown to a driver. Damages like cracks, punctures, cuts or irregular wear are commonly encountered by tyres in their lifetime. These damages can be identified, addressed and avoided by being vigilant at all times.
1. Irregular wear
a. Heel & toe wear
A particular wear pattern is expected with the normal usage of vehicle in suspension settings. It is visible outwardly due to numerous distortional forces at work on the tread of the tyre. This could happen under conditions like:
• Long distance travelled on straight roads without breaks
• With a wrong style of driving
• Issues with the alignment of the suspension geometry
A minor heel and toe wear does not affect the driving comfort, however, if the wear is more, it may be a cause of concern to be addressed quickly.
b. Centre wear
Wheels of high-power cars tend to have this wear pattern. This may be due to:
• Strong acceleration in traffic generating high torque levels
• Accelerating away from traffic signals
• Over-inflated tyres
c. One-sided wear
Incorrect axle geometry can cause this kind of non-uniform tread wear. This can be corrected by realigning the wheels.
2. Bulge or Impact Brake
An impact brake is a damage on the casing of the tyre after the tyre encounters an obstacle. Damage such as a bulge is caused by:
• Driving over certain objects like speed bumps
• Driving at high speeds on these objects
• Driving at the wrong angle on these objects
If you ignore the consequences of such a damage, it may lead to risking the tyre by disintegration of the sidewall or peeling of the tread.
3. Sidewall Indentation
The sidewall of any tyre always has either some dimples or indentations. Indentations and dimples do not pose big threats to the tyres well- being.
4. Cut
Cuts are a result of external conditions like the road conditions, sharp object or any protruding body part. It can be visually inspected and corrected.
5. Punctures
A tyre may puncture due to its contact with any sharp object on the road like screws, nails or broken pieces of glass. These objects pierce through the tyre to cause lose of air pressure.
Minimising risk of such damages
• Changing the position of the tyres or rotating the tyres at regular intervals help in even tyre wear.
• Swapping the wheels of the car from the driven to the non-driven axle on an orderly basis.
• Approach any obstacle as slowly in a perpendicular manner as possible.
• Check for any external damage to the tyre such as cracks, bulges or cuts.
• Avoid rash driving on unpaved roads.
It is important to take care of the condition of your tyres and alloy wheels to avoid any risk or danger to your life and to the life of your loved ones. Small steps towards safety can help you have a smooth driving experience and a prolonged life.
To know further in detail about tyres coventry, you could visit us, at Wheels UK, and interact with our team of skilled specialists.
