Tyres are an indispensable part of the vehicle. It is the only part of the vehicle that comes in contact with the surface and the rigorous frictional force of rolling motion, which makes tyres liable to damages. Many situations cause damage to the tyres, and each situation gives rise to a specific problem. Below are mentioned some of the common types of tyre damages.
Types of tyre damages
Tyre punctures
Tyre puncture is the condition of deflation of a tyre leading to flattening of the tyre. One of the most common causes of a puncture is the penetration of some sharp foreign object, like nails, pieces of glass, creating a way for the air inside the tyre to escape out.
There are many other causes for tyre punctures, like:
Valve stem– A small protrusion through which a tyre is inflated can lead to a puncture. This happens when the valve is loose or damaged, as it creates a way for air to escape.
Worn tyres– Tread part of the tyre is always under rolling friction, which causes wearing of the tread. With wearing of the tyre, tread depth decreases which makes the tyre susceptible to a tyre puncture. Even a small sharp object can penetrate through the tread of a worn-out tyre and can create a hole for air to escape out.
Over-inflated tyres
Filling the tyre with an extra amount of air than required, causes the tyre to lose its flexibility and makes it rigid. In this state, even the small bumps and potholes can cause tyre punctures.
Sidewall damage
Tyre wall or sidewall is the outward-facing part of the tyre covering the face of the rim. Tyre sidewalls are built strong to endure the external pressure, but still, it is susceptible to the damages. There are two common sidewall damages, bulges and cuts. Whenever your vehicle meets on a kerb or hits a pothole, it causes a weakening impact on the structural integrity of the tyre. Due to the weakening of tyre and high pressure inside it, bulging occurs at the point of impact. This bulging leads to a blowout. Cuts are other sidewall damages that can be caused by the above-mentioned impact, and also due to under-inflated tyres. It causes a tyre to lose its shape making sidewalls come in contact with the surface.
Tyre blowout
It is the most dangerous type of damage to a tyre, and can be life-threatening. In tyre blowouts, there is a sudden loss of pressurised air inside the tyre. It happens usually when the tyre is unable to withstand the inside pressure, leading to an explosion of tyre by the pressurised air. A blowout can happen due to the sidewall damage, high temperature, over-inflated tyre, or bumps and potholes on the surface of the road.
Irregular tread wear
The irregular wearing of the tread is of different kinds depending on the reason behind it. For example, excessive wear on the inner or outer edge of the tyre, known as ‘toe-wear’ or ‘camber-wear’, could be due to the improper wheel alignment. Centre wear, excessive wearing of the centre region of a tyre tread, could be due to over-inflation of tyres.
Measures to avoid tyre damages
Tyre pressure plays an important role in the performance and safety of the vehicle. Over-inflated and under-inflated tyres can create many issues like irregular wearing of tyres and blowouts. It advised to keep tyre pressure in check, and air-filled in tyres should be according to the standards given by the manufacturers.
Avoid using worn-out tyres. These tyres are more susceptible to tyre damages than new ones. Not only safety but the performance of these tyres are low.
Taking your vehicle to the garage when facing any difficulties while driving is a good habit to maintain. Never ignore any issue even if it seems trivial, as it may lead to bigger problems. Sometimes anomalies present inside a car can decrease the life of cheap tyres. For example, improper alignment of wheels can cause irregular wearing of tread, not only this but also decreases the performance of vehicles, like difficulty in handling while driving.
Upgrading your vehicle with the advance tyre technologies, like the run-flat technology by Dunlop Tyres, which allows you to drive up to a considerable distance even in the situation of a flat tyre. Then there is another technology which notifies the user about the temperature and pressure of tyres. There are many technologies like these which help you in desperate times and provide convenience.
Driving carefully is a factor that needs no extra expenses for the longevity and better functioning of the vehicles. Potholes and bumps can be avoided