Car Parts Plus

Understanding The Reasons Your Car’s Tires Fail

You’re driving to work or taking your children to school when you suddenly hear a pop. That sound is immediately followed by a flapping noise. Chances are, you’ve experienced a blowout.

Most people who get a flat or go through a blowout blame the tire, road, or an object that has punctured the tread. All of these cases may be true. In fact, considering the punishment we give our vehicles, it’s astonishing the rubber lasts as long as it does. That said, there are many circumstances that can cause a tire failure that are entirely within your control.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how pressure and load-related problems can lead to a blowout. I’ll also describe a few road imperfections to watch for.

Pressure-Related Problems

First, let’s address situations in which underinflation is an issue. When there is insufficient pressure within your tires, the load will cause your sidewalls to flex. That creates excess heat. Imagine the temperatures rising in your sidewalls on a hot day, when the sun has already baked an enormous amount of heat in the road. The treads separate and a blowout becomes a bigger risk.

Overinflating your wheels can also cause a problem. The pressure within them is obviously higher that the psi recommended by the manufacturer. The elevated level causes the tires to be more susceptible to blowing out. Hitting a sharp pothole or other type of road defect might be enough to leave you stranded.

Is The Load Too Heavy?

You’ve seen them: drivers who have piled everything into their vehicles to the point where their cars are groaning under the pressure. Most people realize that their wheels come with a recommended psi from the manufacturer – even if they routinely neglect to follow it. However, the manufacturer also includes a load rating. Exceed it and you’ll be in danger of a blowout.

Look on the sidewalls. The load rating should be listed there as a numeric value. Once you have it, ask your mechanic to translate the rating into pounds.

Road Conditions And Hazards

To be fair, potholes, sharp objects, and other hazards that lie in your path are outside your control, especially if you’re driving at high speeds. That said, you should always avoid running over them if you can safely maneuver around them. Such hazards will rarely cause a tire failure on their own. It is typically when they are combined with overinflation, underinflation, or a too-heavy load that they can tip the scales toward a blowout.

Your tires can also fail due to excessive tread wear and speed. Drivers often let their treads wear too thin; this is usually due to procrastination. Excessive speed is different. Few motorists are aware that their wheels have a specific speed rating. Travel faster than that rating for long periods of time – especially on a hot day – and a blowout becomes imminent.

Inspect your tires periodically. If they appear worn, replace them. Otherwise, they might pose a serious safety issue.

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