Because it’s the part of the car that’s always on the road, the tire is one of the most likely things to become damaged regularly. There are so many potential road hazards and mistakes that can cause this possibility, which is why we’ve decided to list them out in our guide of the most common causes of damaged tires.
Potholes
We wanted to start with the road hazards since they’re the easiest to look out for, and our first culprit is the one that we all have come to know over the years: potholes. These are by far the most common ones to look out for. If they’re wide or deep enough, they can really damage your tires or even lead to more extreme damages. Avoid them at all costs. If you have to go over a pothole, make sure you slow down as you approach it.
Broken Manhole Covers
Broken manhole covers can cause similar consequences to potholes. They can be harder to spot, however, and are much less common. On top of potentially doing the same damage as potholes, broken manhole covers may fly out from under your car and hit other vehicles or people. Fortunately, these covers are repairable, though. So, be sure to contact a city official when you discover them to make sure professionals fix them promptly.
Curbs
Although they’re usually harmless, curbs can destroy a perfectly good tire. If a car hits one at just the right angle or goes over one too fast, the tire can pop instantly. On the other hand, parking with a tire on the curb or rubbing right up against it can damage it as well, especially if it happens regularly.
Road Debris
Nails and screws are the biggest offenders in this category, but large rocks or scraps of metal can damage your wheels just as easily. These objects can form holes or scrapes in your tires, and you should evade them whenever possible. We know it’s almost impossible to see a nail on the road, but you can exercise more caution when driving past a construction site.
Not Rotating Tires
Tires don’t wear evenly on your car. In most cases, the front tires wear quicker than the rear ones. Over time, this will make the front tires more susceptible to damage. Frequently rotating them will keep your tires more uniformly worn. Routinely doing this is one of many ways to keep your car care costs down in the long run.
Bad Alignment
If the axels of your car become misaligned, they can wear down your tires unevenly as well. This is because your vehicle is basically grinding one of your wheels into the ground. If you ever notice your car drifting while driving, it’s likely misaligned. When you see this sign, you should take care of it immediately.
A Final Tip
Before we wrap up our list of the most common causes of damaged tires, we wanted to give you a small piece of advice. If you ever notice that your tires are severely damaged or losing air rapidly, stop driving on them immediately. When the damage isn’t too bad, you might be able to get the tires fixed at a low cost. However, if you keep driving on damaged wheels, you might harm them even more and have to replace them completely.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
