Identifying Auto Service

With winter finally coming to an end, many roads across the country are beginning to show signs of wear from the cold season. Cracks and potholes are an unavoidable fact of life, but they can be exceptionally perilous following a frigid winter. Hitting a sharp pothole can cause damage to your wheels, suspension, steering, and tires.

Since damaged tires can pose an immediate threat to your safety, it's crucial to understand how to examine them for issues. If you've recently hit a severe pothole, follow these three steps to check your tire for signs of trouble.

1. Check the Pressure

Although most modern vehicles come equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, your car may not alert you of a slight drop. Check the pressure of each tire. If the wheel that hit the pothole seems to have noticeably lower pressure, it may indicate a hidden puncture or tear. Refill the tire to its proper pressure and monitor it for any additional air loss.

It's never safe to ride on a significantly underinflated tire or one that loses air quickly. Driving on a tire in this condition can rapidly damage its internal structure and lead to catastrophic failure. If your tire is losing air after hitting a pothole, have it inspected by a qualified tire repair shop as soon as possible.

2. Examine the Wheel

Potholes can often cause significant wheel damage. In many cases, minor dents and deformations in your wheel may be hard to spot. These problems can often cause your tire to seal poorly and may result in noticeable vibrations while driving. If a pothole dented your wheel severely enough that you can easily see the damage, it's highly likely to have damaged your tire's structure, as well.

Visible wheel damage is another sign that you shouldn't drive your car without a proper inspection. Not only will you need to repair or replace the wheel, but your tire may also require help. Continuing to use a tire damaged in this way can cause further damage and may lead to failure.

3. Look for Sidewall Damage and Gouges

Finally, carefully examine the sidewall of the tire for bubbling. Bubbles only show up following damage to the tire's internal structure, which means that your tire is no longer safe to drive on. You should also feel the tire's tread for signs of gouging or missing chunks of rubber. Hard impacts with potholes can sometimes take a bite out of your tire.

Inspecting your tires every time you hit a deep pothole might seem like a chore, but it's worthwhile to avoid more severe problems in the future. If you find any indications of damage, always bring your vehicle to a tire repair shop as soon as you can.

To learn more, contact a tire repair shop.