Protect Your Tires by Knowing the Main Causes of Tire Damage

Protect Your Tires by Knowing the Main Causes of Tire Damage

Flat tires are one of the eternal hassles of car ownership. It’s going to happen to everyone, sooner or later – and there is a surprisingly long list of things that can damage your tires.  Knowing what causes flats can cut down on your need for flat tire repair jobs – but, of course, Fred’s Auto Repair of Briarcliff is here to replace them whenever necessary.

The Five Most Common Causes of Flat Tires

1 – Punctures

Modern tires have multiple layers of safety features designed to prevent sharp objects from puncturing the tire or to immediately seal around punctures that do occur. However, a sufficiently large or sharp item can still slash a tire beyond its ability to self-repair. Watch out for debris on the road!

2 – Poor roads

Every time your tire hits a bump, pothole, large rock, cracked asphalt, or any other problem with the road, it’s going to increase wear on the tire.  If you drive on poor roads frequently, they can quickly degrade your tires. Unfortunately, there’s no other solution here except to avoid such roads whenever possible.

3 – Valve stem problems

The valve stem, where air can be pumped into the tire, is typically seen as the major weak point in tire construction. They’re necessarily small, and not hard to break.  Almost any damage to the valve stem will cause air leaks. Be extra careful if you refill your own tires, or when checking your tire air pressure. Go slowly, and don’t put any more pressure on the valve stem than is needed.

Speaking of tire pressure…

4 – Over-inflated tires

When you buy your car, you should receive an owner’s manual. Don’t throw this away!  Keep it around because it contains one of the most crucial pieces of information: the proper inflation and pressure levels within your tires. This information may also be included in the door jamb of your vehicle for easy reference. If you over-inflate your tires, they will become far more vulnerable to damage, and blowouts will be bigger and potentially more dangerous. Never exceed manufacturer specs when inflating a tire.

5 – High heat

Excessively high heat can start to soften the rubber on a tire, as well as cause the air inside to expand, increasing interior pressure. If you’re driving on a hot day, give your tires more chances to rest whenever you can, to keep the temperatures down.

We Provide Flat Tire Repair

When you do have a blowout or a flat in Briarcliff, Fred’s Auto Repair provides quick and easy flat tire repairs! Click here to contact us for service in Briarcliff Manor or Shrub Oak.