What Damages Tyres?

Tuesday 17 May 2022

Are you worried about your tyres getting damaged while driving? This article explores the different factors that can impact your tyres, ensuring you can keep them in the best condition.

On average, your car’s tyres should last for 40,000 km or approximately five years. If you rotate your tyres regularly, then you will also be able to extend their life and ensure that they continue to serve you well on the road for longer. However, certain factors can damage your tyres. If your tyres do get damaged, then you will need to make sure that you are replacing them sooner than the time frame mentioned above. Let’s explore some of the key factors that can damage your tyres and the best way to deal with these problems.

Physical Factors

Various physical factors can damage the tyres. For instance, you could experience a puncture. You can get a tyre puncture from driving over broken glass or a nail that has been left on the road. You should notice a puncture because the car will feel uneven and most modern vehicles will alert you to a loss of pressure in one of the tyres.

Road Conditions

Certain road conditions can also cause the tyres to get damaged. If you are driving on a road with a lot of potholes or deep potholes, then they could damage your tyres and knock the suspension at the same time. Even if a pothole doesn’t cause a puncture, it will likely damage the tread of the tyre. The best way to avoid a pothole damaging a tyre is to make sure that you go over them at a slower speed.

Climate

The climate is another factor that can cause damage to your tyres. Hot weather in particular can damage your tyres far more rapidly compared to cold temperatures. In hot weather, pressure builds underneath the tyres and they can overheat when you are out on the road. Tyres will always wear out more rapidly in hotter climates and hotter temperatures can also weaken the surface of the tyres. This can lead to a disastrous situation on the road and may even cause a blowout. Experts believe that 165 degrees Fahrenheit is the key marker when determining whether the road is too hot for your tyres. A temperature any higher than this will impact the life of the tyres on your vehicle.

Driving Habits

Another key factor that can impact the condition of your tyres is individual driving habits. There are certain aspects of driving that are likely to cause your tyres to wear down more rapidly. For instance, you should think about braking. Heavy braking will always cause more friction, causing your tyres to get damaged. Emergency stops in particular will cause significant damage to your tyres. You can keep your tyres in the best condition for longer by looking further ahead while driving. This will ensure that you are not braking at the last minute, allowing you to be more gentle with the brakes and your tyres.

Another point to consider is your speed. If you regularly hit 100km per hour then it’s far more likely that your tyres are going to suffer from wear and tear on the road. Driving at slower speeds will keep your tyres in a better condition for far longer. Similarly, sharp turns can also put more pressure on the tyres, causing them to get damaged.

Improper Usage

Finally, you do need to make sure that you are using your tyres correctly. For instance, you need to check that they are inflated to the right level. Low pressure in your tyres will cause them to sag inward at the middle of the tyre. This will mean more force is applied to the edge of the tyre tread closest to the sidewall.

You also need to consider factors such as wheel alignment. If your wheels are not properly aligned, then you will find that the tyres wear down far more rapidly on the shoulder side. This is one of the main reasons why a mechanic will check your wheel alignment when you take your vehicle in for a service. Problems with the tyres are a telltale sign that there is an issue here that needs to be corrected.

We hope this helps you understand some of the common reasons why your tyres do get damaged and the steps that you can take to avoid these issues. If you explore the right options, you can make sure that your tyres remain in the right condition and last far longer than you might expect.

Stop by your local store today if your tyres need repair.