tire tread – Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop

Tag: tire tread

Identifying Tire Damage

Maintaining your tires is crucial for your vehicle and safety. Sometimes they can be damaged for a variety of reasons and many drivers don’t notice it until they start feeling the symptoms of a deflating or unaligned tire. It’s important to regularly inspect your tires so that you can catch any potential problems early on, especially before and after a long trip or after driving on a rough road. In this month’s blog, we will discuss how to identify tire damage and what they mean.

Punctures and Cuts

Punctures and cuts are most commonly caused by running over nails or glass on the road. This pierces the tire and if the puncture is deep enough, your tire may begin to lose tire pressure and slowly deflate. Cuts can also come from driving on a bad or rough road conditions. They can be hard to notice until you start feeling the consequences of your deflating tire while driving. If this happens to you, the puncture or cut must be patched immediately.

Cracking and Bulging

Cracks and bulges are usually caused by hitting curbs or running over potholes and debris. Cracks are most noticeable along your tire’s sidewall and can also be caused by underinflating your tires. If you notice numerous smaller cracks, this is usually due to old age and wear and tear from the elements. Bulges, or impact breaks, are caused by running over curbs at excessive speed levels. This impact causes internal damage and sometimes the bulge does not begin to appear until weeks later. Bulges should not be ignored and you should get your tire replaced as soon as possible. If left alone, it can lead to tire failure and safety issues.

Cupping

Cupping, also known as scalloping, looks like a waving pattern of lumps or hills. If you notice this on your tires, the culprit may be due to damaged suspension components. This causes the tires to bounce while you’re driving and come down harder on some spots than others. Having bad shock absorbers may also be the issue.

Flat Spots

A flat spot is a single spot on your tire that is very noticeably more worn down than other areas. Often vehicles that have been parked in one spot for a very long time will experience flat spots at the bottom of their tires. Another cause would be skidding on the road after slamming your brakes.

Worn Down Sides

Center Wear: When your tire is only worn straight down the middle. This is due to your tire being overinflated and only allowing the center to come into contact with the road.
Outer-Edge Wear: When only the outside edges of your tire are worn down and not the middle. This is the inverse of center wear and is due to the tire being underinflated. This means there is too little pressure and the tire is forced to flex.
One-sided Wear: When only one side of your tire is worn down. This is most likely due to it being unaligned and making your vehicle lean too much on one side.

Conclusion

If you notice any wear and tear on your tires, especially anything major, it’s best to let a professional handle it. For all of your tire patching and replacement needs, come to Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop. We specialize in servicing tires, brakes, steering and suspension, and more! Our technicians are ASE certified with many years of experience. To learn more about our services, please visit our website or call us at (817) 834-2725.

Basic Tire Maintenance Every Driver Should Know

August 31, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

As the only thing between your car and the road, the tires carry quite a bit of pressure. With the amount of rotations they go through to the amount of air normally lost due to how often you drive, a lot can happen to cause excessive wear and tear on your tires. Keep reading to learn more about three of the basic tire maintenance steps every driver should know.

Check Tire Pressure

To ensure your gas mileage stays in a healthy range and you remain safe on the road, always check and fill your tire pressure. A car’s tires naturally lose about 1-2 psi every month which means continued neglect will result in a dangerous blow-out. Don’t risk your safety and the safety of others while on the road and check your tire pressure periodically.

Rotate Your Tires

Most mechanics recommend rotating your tires every 5-7,000 miles. This is due to the amount of wear most front wheel drive cars experience on their tires. By rotating your front tires to the rear and vice versa you will ensure an even better tread wear on your vehicle. Periodically rotating your tires will also allow you to maintain a good gas mileage. Not taking proper care of your vehicle’s tires will drastically reduce the gas mileage and performance of your car.

Mechanic rotating a car's tires. — Mechanic rotating a car’s tires.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Visual inspections of your tires are a handy way to ensure the tread is still within safety limits. While it is never a good sign that you can tell your tires are going flat, simply taking the time to inspect them will allow you to address any issues. Performing a visual inspection of your tires is an excellent way to spot any cuts or bulges on them.

Thoughts

From simply checking the tire pressure to using proper tire rotation schedules and even visual inspections, you will be able to keep a proper eye on your tire’s wear and tear. Be sure to call on the team at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop for all of your vehicle needs. Call us today to schedule an exceptional tire service!

3 Reasons to Get a Tire Alignment

February 15, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

When it comes to a car’s maintenance, people will often forget to, or simply not, take care of their tire’s alignment. This non-care can end up leading to an unhealthy car and a poor relationship with the wallet through expensive auto repairs. Don’t let this be you! Read more to find three good reasons why a tire alignment can save your car’s health and your wallet.

Fuel Efficiency

In today’s world, the price of gas can really hurt your wallet. Having a poor tire alignment can cause your car to put more strain on the engine rather than the tires it’s the same concept as an extremity of the human body not working and putting more pressure on the heart. When your tires aren’t aligned, it can cause your fuel efficiency to drop and cost you more for gas down the line.

Smoother Driving

Have you ever felt your car pull to the right or left when you’re driving in a straight line? That’s a sure sign the car could use a tire alignment. When the car moves to the right or left without you touching the steering wheel, you’re also putting in more effort instead of enjoying a smooth ride.

Mechanic inspecting a car's engine. — Mechanic inspecting a car’s engine.

Vehicle Safety

When it comes to vehicle safety, most people think about their brakes or their steering ability, but very few think about their tires. When your tires are properly aligned your car can run smoother and have a better chance of avoiding costly repairs further down the line. Make sure to get your tires aligned and don’t wait until it’s too late; this will be one of the best decisions you make for your car’s safety.

Conclusion

When it comes to your vehicle’s health, you want to do everything you can to keep it going strong. From caring about the engine to the tire’s alignment you can save your car and your wallet from costly repairs down the line. Don’t take your car for granted; take pride in your ownership. When you want a team you can trust with your car, give our shop a call and we’ll get you back on the road in no time!

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