Rim damage can be caused by a number of factors and, once damage has occurred, it can lead to a number of other problems. The best way of preventing rim damage is by learning about the risk factors and becoming more aware on the road. Here are five causes that you can avoid.
1) Driving on a flat tire
When your tires are properly inflated, the rims will rotate just as they should. When you start to lose tire pressure, however, it will place added pressure on the rim. Think of all the ‘cushioning’ that the air inside the tire provides the rim. With that air gone, the rim comes into closer contact with the road while trying to support the weight of your vehicle.
Remember, it’s not only a puncture that leads to a flat tire. Temperature changes affect tire pressure which is why you will notice that the recommended tire pressure in winter is different from that in the summer. Make sure that you inspect your vehicle before each trip – no matter how short the drive is expected to be. Take a quick walk around your car and check the state of your tires and rims before you get behind the wheel.
2) Driving over curbs
The impact of driving over a curb is far greater than most drivers realize. All you need to do is consider the weight of your car and then imagine all that weight crashing down on your wheels as they bounce off the curb.
You should be aware of the smoothest driving and parking spots in your area. If you are in an area with which you are not familiar, however, it is best to watch the locals to see where they usually park and drive. It’s much like avoiding a pothole. When you see the car in front of you move to the left or right for no apparent reason, it could very well be to avoid a hole in the road. This is why it’s a good idea to follow their example.
3) Road salt in winter
There’s not much you can do to prevent your rims from coming into contact with road salt in the winter season. This salt can cause serious damage to your rims and, even worse is the fact that you will not even notice it at first! You will eventually see how it eats away at the rims and it can result in the failure of the seal with the tires. This will lead to a loss of tire pressure as well as other problems.
The best way to prevent this is to clean your rims regularly and inspect them on a weekly basis for any signs of corrosion. If they become too corroded, it will make them far more vulnerable to cracking and bending should you encounter a damaged road or large pothole.
4) Too close to the curb
While we always want to park as close to the curb as possible, nobody likes that feeling of scraping their rims. Of course, if you park too far from the curb, it will mean that you will be in the way of fellow road users and you could even get a ticket for obstructing traffic.
The only way to get out of the bad habit of scraping your rims is to practice parking with cones. You may even want to take an even more experienced driver along with you. They will be able to help identify any problems and help you correct them.
5) Not avoiding a known pothole
We are all familiar with the roads and road conditions nearby our homes and places of work. Along these common routes, we know where water tends to gather as well as any bumps.
Potholes are also obstacles that remain in our minds. If you fail to avoid a pothole that you have encountered on several occasions, this can cause minor to major rim damage. In most cases, the amount of damage depends on the size of the pothole as well as the speed at which you were traveling.
With so many possible reasons behind rim damage, it might seem impossible to avoid them all at all times. The good news is that we offer mobile rim repair services that will help get you back on the road in no time! If you notice any problems with one or more of your rims, call Tire Change at (647) 745-0930.