The rims on your vehicle are important for safety as well as comfort. If your rims are damaged, you can experience tire damage and lose control of your vehicle. In order to prevent rim damage and the dangers associated with such damage, it is important that you inspect your wheels on a regular basis and avoid some of the most common causes of damage.
Damage due to Normal Driving Conditions
Before discussing the additional risks during the winter months, it’s important to note that there are road conditions throughout the year that can cause damage. Potholes are a major cause of rim damage. Especially when they are particularly large and visibility is poor. The faster you are driving when you hit the pothole, the more damage can occur to the rim and your tire too. Uneven roads can also cause rim damage and, much like potholes, the faster you drive, the greater the damage can be.
Additional Risks in Winter
Salt is applied to the roads during winter in order to melt the snow and ice. While this is great from a road safety point of view, it’s not so great for your rims. Salt is corrosive which means that your rims will become pitted as a result. The degree of damage and the speed at which the corrosion sets in will largely depend on the type of rims. Different metals react differently to salt and corrosive substances. If left unchecked, corrosion can cause the rims to become uneven and this means that the seal with the tires can break. In addition, corroded rims are not as resistant as they should be. So, if you hit a pothole with corroded rims, it’s far more likely that they will experience more damage than usual.
What can You do About It?
Now that you know how winter driving conditions can damage your rims, you might be wondering what you can do about it. Firstly, you should inspect your rims on a regular basis to make sure that they are not damaged. Look for signs of corrosion so that you can take action before it’s too late. Professional rim repairs can help restore your rims and keep you safer behind the wheel. Only if the damage is particularly extensive should the rim be replaced.
At Tire Change, we offer a full range of tire and rim repair services. Our team is available throughout the Greater Toronto Area and we offer same day service. Contact us at (647) 745-0930 for all your tire and rim emergencies. Our trained technicians will arrive to assist you in no time.