Don’t Drive on Damaged Tires
Author: Auger Law | September 13th, 2017
It’s something some people have experienced and many hope to never experience again: a flat tire. Whether you hear the sudden “click click” of a screw in your tire or feel that tremendous jolt that occurs due to a blown tire, your thoughts immediately turn to the expense of being forced to purchase a replacement or, worse, several new tires.
It is never a good idea to drive on a tire that is damaged or losing pressure. In some cases, a damaged tire may be able to be repaired. Here is some info: (Please note that it is a best safety practice to always replace a damage tired with a spare tire or have your car towed to a repair shop instead of driving on a damaged tire.)
Repairable Issues
Traveling at highway speeds and even slower residential speeds makes it impossible to see every small object in the road. Running over a pothole is avoidable in many cases, avoiding a nail or screw is not.
When you run over a nail or screw and it sticks into the tread of your tire, you may hear a clicking noise. This is the tire or screw head striking the pavement as your tire rotates. The noise can be frightening, but closer inspection will reveal a minor problem.
A puncture from a nail or screw that is smaller than a quarter-inch in diameter can be plugged. There are kits you can purchase that will allow you to make the repair at home. Even though a do it yourself repair may be a cheaper solution, taking your vehicle to a local mechanic or tire-repair shop for professional tire diagnostics may be a your best bet. They are trained to know whether or not the tire can be repaired. It should be noted that repair shops are only permitted to plug small punctures in the tread. If the nail or screw has entered the shoulder or sidewall of your tire, you will need to replace the tire.
Replaceable Issues
A gash, split or tear in your tire is not repairable. When these things occur, your tire will have to be replaced. If your tire has bulged due to some defect and split, it will need to be replaced. While it can be costly, it is far safer and cheaper in the long run. Driving on bad tires is unsafe and against the law.
Reacting to a Flat
If you have a tire that is losing air pressure or has suddenly gone flat, do not drive on it. A malfunctioning tire may not be your only problem. If the tire blows you could potentially find yourself in a very bad accident. Also it can cause damage to your brakes, suspension or other working components of your vehicle. Driving on a flat can also damage the wheel itself, resulting in even more expensive repairs. When you see that you have a damaged tire, replace it with a spare or call a tow truck so you can have the damaged tire evaluated and repaired or replaced. Tires can be replaced, you can’t!
If you are involved in a car accident, you have legal rights. Reach out to our team of experienced car accident attorneys in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina today to discover more about your options and next steps. We will review the details of your accident at no cost to you and help you make the best decisions for your unique situation. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation.
