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Common Tire Problems and How to Prevent Them

Tires are one of your vehicle’s most critical components, yet it’s easy to overlook them until something goes wrong. From uneven wear to sudden blowouts, tire issues can lead to safety risks and reduced vehicle performance.

Fortunately, most common tire problems are preventable with regular maintenance and awareness of early warning signs. In this blog, J & L Automotive Repairs & Service, Inc.’s tire service specialists help you explore the most frequent tire troubles drivers face and offer practical tips to help you avoid them so you can look forward to a smoother, safer ride every time you hit the road.

First, let’s take a closer look at tire tread and depth—what they are and why they matter.

Tire and Tread Depth: What It Is and Why It Matters

Tire tread and depth help keep you safe on the road. Treads are the grooved pattern on your tire’s surface. It’s carefully designed to channel water away and maintain traction in various driving conditions.

Tread depth determines how well your tires can get a firm grip on the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions. This depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. As your tread wears down over time, your vehicle’s ability to maintain that grip decreases, raising your risk of hydroplaning, skidding, and accidents.

Completing regular tire inspections, servicing, and replacing your tires when necessary will help you keep your vehicle operating safely and performing at its best.

That’s how your tire’s treads and tread depth come into play. Now that we’ve covered that, you’re ready to learn more about common tire issues and how to avoid them.

Common Tire Issues

Flat tires aren’t the only problems you can have with one or more of your vehicle’s wheels. In this section, we’ll discuss the most common tire issues, including uneven wear, pressure issues, and sidewall damage, and then explain the steps to avoid these types of tire troubles while driving and when your vehicle is parked.

Since we just talked about how important your tire treads are, it’s a good time for us to fill you in on what happens when they wear out and how to spot and prevent this problem.

Worn-Out Tire Treads

Driving with worn-out tire treads is like gambling with your safety. As the tread wears thin, your tires gradually lose their ability to grip the road, making everyday actions like braking, steering, and avoiding obstacles much more difficult. This becomes especially dangerous in wet or snowy conditions, where even a slight loss of traction can lead to accidents or near-misses.

The good news is that spotting worn treads early can prevent these risks. It’s good to get into the habit of checking your tires regularly for uneven wear, cracks, or bald spots. If the tread depth dips below the legal limit of 2/32 inches—about the height of a penny’s head—it’s time to invest in new tires.

While worn-out treads are common, they’re not the only sign that your tires are in trouble. Uneven tire wear can be an early indicator of underlying mechanical problems. Even if your tread hasn’t entirely worn down, uneven wear across the tire surface can similarly affect your vehicle’s handling and safety.

Uneven Tire Wear

Uneven tire wear can signal more than aging tires and is often a red flag for deeper mechanical issues. Misaligned wheels, suspension problems, or something as simple as the wrong tire pressure can cause your rubber to wear unevenly, leading to many problems. You might notice your vehicle pulling to one side, a drop in fuel efficiency, or a reduction in overall traction, all of which make driving more challenging and less safe.

Look at your tires and inspect them for bald patches, bulges, or worn edges. These are clear signs that something’s off. To prevent premature wear, address these issues early through alignment, suspension work, or regular tire maintenance.

While uneven wear affects your tire’s tread and can signal mechanical issues, tire sidewall damage is a separate but equally serious problem. Often caused by external impacts, sidewall damage can compromise your tire’s structural integrity, posing significant safety risks.

Tire Sidewall Damage

Tire sidewall damage is usually caused by hitting potholes, curbs, or debris. This type of damage can compromise your vehicle’s safety. When driving with a damaged sidewall, you may notice a vibration or a pulling sensation, especially when you reach higher speeds.

If you feel this sensation while on the road, you should stop and find a safe place to inspect your tires for cuts, bulges, or punctures along the sidewall. These signs indicate potential structural damage that can lead to a blowout. At this point, you should replace your tire.

Unlike tread damage, which can sometimes be patched, sidewall issues weaken your tire’s overall structure and make it unsafe to continue driving. To avoid damaging your tire’s sidewalls, steer clear of potholes or curbs, maintain proper tire pressure, and be on the lookout for signs of tire wear or deterioration.

Just as sidewall damage can compromise your tire’s integrity, improper tire pressure is another common issue that can lead to dangerous driving conditions. Whether caused by temperature changes, slow leaks, or punctures, tire pressure issues impact your vehicle’s handling and efficiency.

Tire Pressure Issues

Tire pressure issues can result from temperature changes, punctures, or a slow air leak over time. Cold weather causes air to contract and leads to underinflation, while warmer temperatures can increase your tire’s pressure.

Driving on low or flat tires feels noticeably different—your vehicle may feel sluggish, harder to steer, and less responsive when braking. You might also feel increased vibration or hear a thumping noise, especially when you’re driving on the highway. Regularly check for visual signs like sagging tires or a bulging sidewall to catch low tire pressure early.

Many vehicles also have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that lights up on the dashboard when tire pressure is too low, but you should still make a habit of checking pressure manually using a tire gauge. Underinflated tires wear out faster and reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Tire pressure issues, punctures, and flats are common and often sudden problems that can compromise your tire’s performance. As we mentioned earlier, driving on underinflated tires can even increase your risk of experiencing a flat.

Tire Punctures and Flats

Getting a tire puncture or flat tire while driving can be a sudden and unnerving experience. You might feel a sharp pull to one side, or your vehicle may vibrate or wobble. Sometimes, you’ll hear a loud popping sound, followed by a thumping noise as your flat tire makes contact with the road. Steering becomes more challenging, and you can’t brake as well as before, so you’ll have to pull over to safety as soon as possible.

Tire punctures are usually caused by sharp objects like nails, screws, or glass that penetrate your tire. Running over debris, hitting potholes, or driving with underinflated tires can also increase the likelihood of a flat. Sometimes, slow leaks can be another cause of flat tires that seem to come out of nowhere.

It’s a good idea to give your tires a quick check before your journey to avoid getting stranded. Look for embedded objects, small cracks, or bulges, and be aware of noticeable loss of tire pressure. If your tire is losing air faster than usual, you may need to repair or replace it.

Whether you want to avoid dealing with a puncture, flat tire, or another common issue, you can often prevent these risks from becoming a problem with regular tire inspections and care.

Tire Maintenance Helps You Keep Your Tires in Top Condition for a Safe Drive

Stay proactive about tire care to prevent many common tire issues before they impact your safety and vehicle performance. Regular checks on tread depth, tire pressure, and potential damage help extend tire life and reduce repair costs. Investing a little time in tire maintenance will keep you safer and more confident on the road.

Do you need a tire specialist who goes above and beyond to deliver affordable solutions when you need them? J & L Automotive Repairs & Service, Inc. is always here for you. Call us at (770) 622-9242 for an estimate.