At Westerville Automotive in Westerville, OH, we understand that you can’t prevent malfunctions all the time, every time. At some point in your driving history, you’ve probably dealt with a flat tire. Sometimes a tire goes flat in a parking lot, but sometimes a tire can fail while driving. Here are some indicators you have a tire that is about to fail, and how to handle the situation.
A damaged tire can last a long time. As a result, you might not even have noticed that a tire is failing until the final moments before it gives out. Tires fail on the road for a few different reasons. Either it is dry rotted, has a knot in it, the tread has worn out completely, or the sidewall is damaged. In any case, the symptoms are pretty universal. The vehicle will likely shake or vibrate at certain speeds, feel floaty at the steering wheel, or make excessive road noise in the early stages of failure. It will likely feel like there is something wrong with the vehicle itself when there’s actually just a problem with one of the tires.
If your vehicle suddenly starts shaking or shuddering more, or you begin to hear one of the tires get progressively noisier, it is likely that you’re about to blow a tire. Slow down immediately; If you’re moving fast, the stress on your tire is exponentially greater than it would be at lower speeds. Pull into a safe location, park the vehicle, and check the tires for damage or irregularities. Often an issue will be immediately obvious...if it isn’t, run your hand carefully around the tire and see if you can feel any misshapen areas. Use caution if the tire is worn out, there could be sharp wires sticking out.
The best way to avoid a blowout is to keep your tires inspected and maintained. A blown tire can result in damage to the vehicle or loss of control, neither of which are ideal. If you do experience a tire that feels like it’s about to fail, slow down and get the tire replaced immediately.
Whether you have a tire that is blown, about to blow, or you just need your current tires inspected, drop by Westerville Automotive. Our expert mechanics will take care of any and all of your vehicle repair and maintenance needs, including tire replacement on any car, truck, or SUV. Whether you need a new tire, an oil change, or anything else, Westerville Automotive has you covered.
