Driving factors that can damage car tyres

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by: Matt Robbins
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Word Count: 523
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 Time: 9:33 PM
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For vehicle owners, making sure their car tyres are in good working condition is an important part of being a responsible road user.

Tyre damage is caused in a number of different ways and if a driver can discover the cause of the damage, they can ensure that they get the best performance out of their tyres and will be able to recognise the tell tale signs that cause damage to their tyres.

One of the most common ways to damage tyres and also one of the easiest to avoid is having incorrect tyre pressure. As well as impairing the performance of your car, underinflated tyres can be dangerous and in some cases can build up excessive heat and lead to the tyre bursting. This can be avoided by making sure that tyres are inflated to the level recommended in the vehicle owners manual. Having correctly inflated tyres will also stop rapid and irregular tyre wear that may occur as a result of inappropriate tyre pressure.

As well as making sure that they have the recommended tyre pressure for their vehicle, drivers should also regularly check tyres to help avoid any problems. Making sure that this is done is important as damaged tyres can lead to tyres heating up and air pressure increasing.

Overloading a vehicle is another easily avoidable practice that can lead to tyre damage occurring. By checking the maximum load rating of the vehicles tyres (found on the sidewall of the tyre) and consulting the vehicle handbook it should be easy to avoid this, and the damage or destruction of the cars tyres that could occur otherwise.

It is also important to make sure that the tyres can take the weight if a trailer is attached to your vehicle. Making sure that the tyre size and inflation is appropriate for the type of trailer hitched can make a huge difference and keep your tyres in good working order.

Over time the wheel alignment and balancing of a car can become slightly uneven and this can lead to uneven wear on tyres and cause excess damage that could make them unsafe. Making sure you regularly check your tyres for irregular wear and tear and also having the suspension checked and re-balanced regularly can prevent this kind of damage from occurring and keep you safe on the road.

Irresponsible driving such as driving at excessive speed, cornering hard, breaking suddenly and wheel spinning can also cause tyre damage. Making sure that you drive sensibly on the road can help your tyres to last longer and decrease the chances of serious damage or tyre explosion that could lead to a lot worse than a lost tyre.

At the other end of the spectrum though, is the dreaded speed bump that if driven over too fast can damage tyres as well as the suspension of a car, which in turn could lead to excessive wear and tear on certain tyres. It is also important to stay vigilant and watch out for potholes on roads, although you could get away scot free if you hit one, there is also the potential for a blown tyre.

About the Author

Matt Robbins - Online Manager of Halfords Autocentre (previously Nationwide Autocentre) have more ATA trained mechanics than any other independent garage group being the UK's leading provider of Brakes, Tyres, MOT and car repairs across the nation.
For all other enquiries, call 0800 096 4216.