The Most Common Cause of a Tire Blowout
Tire blowouts are scary. Our Chevrolet service department has replaced blown out tires from customers' cars, and it isn't a pretty site! And, as you can imagine, it's not safe, either.
But what causes blowouts? Technically, it's the sudden failure of a tire due to wear, defect, or most commonly, under inflation. That's right. Most tire blowouts are caused by under inflation.
Tire under inflation causes the side of a tire to flex more which generates heat. It's the heat that leads to the blowout. What's important to understand is tires lose pressure over time. You can expect your tires to lose about a pound per inch every month.
PLUS, 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degree drop in temperature. Since most cars are inflated to around 45 pounds per square inch, it doesn't take long for tires to become dangerously low on air.
Fortunately, newer cars have a tire pressure monitoring system. This is a warning light that flashes on the dash if your tires are low on air. For owners of older used cars, you have to remember to check tire pressure regularly because this system is not in place.
Why Your Tires are the Most Important Safety Feature
Here at our Chevrolet Harrisonburg dealership, our service department is constantly preaching tire maintenance. Why? Your tires are all that connect your 3,000 pound speeding metal and glass bullet to the pavement!
No matter what action you take, steering, swerving, braking, or accelerating, it's your tires that translate action into a motion.
Modern cars have a ton of safety equipment that are designed to keep you from having an accident. Think anti-lock brakes, lane departure correction systems that steer a drifting car back into the correct lane, and stability control.
And yet, every single one of those systems relies on your tires and their grip on the road. If your tires aren't working, you have no control.
Front End Alignments, Another Safety Precaution
If the front end is out of alignment, it can cause uneven tire wear. Combine that with lack of tire maintenance and you've got a disaster waiting to happen. Getting a regular front end alignment will keep the balance of your tires even.
The moral of the story is this. Always buy good quality tires, then take care of them! At least once each month, check the tread, pressure, and overall integrity of your tires.
Remember, tires are what keep you alive while driving. Don't ignore them!
At Joe Bowman Auto Plaza, we sell quality tires for your vehicle. With our Tire Finder, you can make it quick and easy to get the right tires for your car. Then our Certified Chevy Service Technicians can get your tires and installed and balanced at your appointment.
Learn more about us. Visit us on the web: https://www.joebowmanautoplaza.com
