Even the highest-quality tires wear down over time due to friction, and this reduces driving safety. They can also be damaged by wheel balancing or alignment issues, worn shocks, and other issues. As your RAM dealership, we’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for tire replacement.
3 Signs You Need Tire Replacement at Your RAM Dealership
Tire Bulge
A tire bulge is a raised section of a tire. It can happen due to the breakdown of part of the tire’s internal structure, but it’s more common when part of the tire is pinched against a solid object, like the curb. Once the pressure is released, it can leave behind an air-filled lump. A bulge looks bad, but it’s also dangerous as it can cause the tire to blow out.
When you drive, surface friction heats the air inside a tire. This increases the internal pressure in the tire. The area over a bulge is stretched thinner than it should be, and combined with the increased pressure, can cause the bulge to burst. This blowout can occur without warning, and depending on your speed and where you’re driving, you could lose control of your RAM. A bulge can’t be repaired, but we’ll install a new tire so you can drive safely.
Bald Tire
The tire tread is the raised section of the tire in contact with the ground. It’s divided by channels forming a pattern, allowing the tire to grip the surface. As time passes, the tread slowly wears down due to surface friction. Lower tread increases your braking distance and reduces handling. Low tread levels also decrease fuel economy, as they produce resistance that the engine has to work harder to overcome and use more fuel in the process.
The minimum safe tread thickness is 2/32″, but a bald tire is a special case. Its tread has almost completely worn down, and it looks smooth. This type of tire is very dangerous, particularly in wet or muddy conditions, as it can’t grip the surface, and your RAM could skid under these conditions. A bald tire can’t be repaired, but we’ll install a replacement within minutes.
Sidewall Damage
The sidewall is the tire area perpendicular to the surface. It’s made from softer rubber to allow greater flexibility and doesn’t have the steel and polymer reinforcement that strengthens the tread. This makes them vulnerable to damage from sharp objects and other hazardous situations. In addition, if your tires are underinflated, the sidewalls droop toward the ground and will suffer friction damage.
Cuts or cracks in the sidewall will rapidly turn into leaks as the rubber heats up when driving and then cools when your RAM is stationary. We can fix minor damage and replace the tire if the damage is more serious.
If you have a tire problem, contact us today at Bolton CDJ (KS) in Council Grove, KS.
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