How Can You Avoid Replacing a Damaged Tire?

If you've ever had to replace a damaged tire, you probably know that the proper approach can often be costly. Replacing a single tire is rarely a good idea, especially if your other tires already have significant wear. Most shops will recommend replacing both tires on the same axle, and it may even make sense to replace all four tires at once.

Unfortunately, the cost of a complete tire replacement is often drastically higher than simply repairing a damaged tire. The best way to keep that money in your pocket is to protect a damaged tire until you get a professional shop to conduct a permanent repair. Keep reading for three tips to help prevent your flat tire from turning into hundreds of dollars in tire replacements.

1. Monitor Your Tire Pressure

The quickest way to ruin a tire is to drive on it while flat or low on pressure. Driving on a tire with low pressure will cause it to deform, damaging the sidewall and internal structure. Although the tire may look okay from the outside, the internal damage will ruin its structural integrity and increase the likelihood of a catastrophic failure.

To avoid causing this damage, you should check your tire pressure at least once or twice per month. Keep your tires inflated to their proper pressure, and take note if you need to add air to a specific tire repeatedly. If one tire seems to lose air often, you should have a tire shop check it for damage before it reaches a point where repair is no longer possible.

2. Never Drive on a Flat

There's no question: stepping outside and finding a flat tire is frustrating. The good news is that a flat doesn't necessarily mean that your tire is a goner. Punctures and similar damage can cause tires to lose pressure quickly, but they may still be repairable if you avoid driving on the damaged tire. Even a quick drive down the road can potentially destroy it.

If you find yourself in this situation, your best options are to reinflate the tire in place (if you have access to a pump or compressor) or tow your vehicle to a tire shop. Note that you should make sure the tire holds pressure if you opt to reinflate it. Whichever option you choose, you'll need to get the tire repaired as quickly as possible to avoid further damage. Take it to a car tire service

3. Avoid Sidewall Damage

Any tire with sidewall damage is usually beyond repair, so it's best to avoid situations that can cause this type of harm. Deep potholes, curbs, and similar impacts can potentially take chunks out of your tire's sidewall, ruining its structure and forcing you to buy a replacement. Driving carefully and avoiding these situations will help you prevent damage that may force you to replace a tire with plenty of life left.

Share