4 Common Reasons Automotive Tires Fail
The treads on your tires wear down over thousands of miles
. As they do, they gradually deliver less traction, steering response, and ultimately, less control of your vehicle. The traditional rule of thumb is that tires should be replaced when the depth of the grooves reaches 2/32". Many experts, however, suggest replacing them when they reach 4/32", especially if you live in an area that receives significant rainfall. Doing so ensures you and your passengers remain safe on the road.While tread wear is important to monitor, few people consider the factors that might cause a blowout. This article will provide an overview of four of the most common reasons it occurs. Keep the following in mind to avoid a dangerous tire failure that may leave you and your passengers exposed to injury.
1 - Excessive Or Insufficient Air Pressure
Your owner's manual will list the recommended psi for your vehicle's tires. This psi is usually between 28 and 34, though it varies based on the type of car you drive and the size of the tires. The problem is, many drivers either fill their tires with too much air, or allow the pressure to drop below the recommended psi. Both circumstances can lead to a blowout.
Excessive air pressure results from someone filling their tires without using a gauge, or intentionally filling them to a higher-than-recommended psi. This places excess stress on the rubber, which then becomes more susceptible to road hazards.
Underinflation is more problematic. Air seeps through the rubber over time, which causes your tires to lose pressure. It happens so slowly that you're unlikely to notice. Unfortunately, insufficient pressure causes the sidewalls to stretch, which in turn causes the heat surrounding the rubber to rise. Given the right conditions, the rubber may burst.
2 - Excessive Weight
All tires come with a load rating (sometimes called an index) that is clearly listed on the sidewall. It is comprised of the last two digits of the ISO Metric tire code. This rating reflects the maximum weight a tire can safely carry without concern of a blowout.
For example, suppose the ISO code is displayed as "P195/55R16 87S". The "87" in the code reflects a maximum weight of 1,201 pounds. If you exceed this weight, you'll run the risk of a failure.
As a side note, very few passenger vehicles deal with this problem since they are rarely used to haul heavy loads. It is much more common with pickup trucks.
3 - Hazards In The Road
Nails are not the only type of road hazard that can cause a blowout. Deep potholes, rocks, debris, and even small branches, can pierce your treads or sidewalls. If they don't cause your tires to fail outright, they can damage them to the point they fail in the future.
The best way to avoid blowouts from road hazards is to drive carefully, and watch for them in the road. If you suspect you have driven over something that may have damaged your treads, pull over and inspect them. Otherwise, you'll risk a dangerous blowout while driving.
4 - Treads That Are Too Old
The rubber of your tires loses its ability to flex and stretch as it ages. Instead, it becomes stiff and inelastic. In this state, your tires become far more susceptible to a blowout, especially if you run over a sharp object. While there is no official expiration date on tires, most auto technicians recommend changing them at least every ten years, and preferably every six or seven.
Note that this recommendation only addresses age. Your treads may appear in good condition, but the underlying rubber might still be weakened and brittle, and thus vulnerable to a blowout.
Make sure your tires are inflated according to the recommended psi in your owner's manual; stay under the load rating; watch for road hazards; and replace the treads when they become old. Doing these four things will prevent your tires from failing while on the road.
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