When Bad Tires Become Dangerous
February 11, 2021 by Savings Team
There are multiple reasons that a car might shake, but the most common ones have to do with the condition of the tires. No matter what the cause, shaking is not good. Your car might shake because of any of the following tire problems:
Balance
Tires that are out of balance may cause a car to shake at around 45-50 miles per hour. This shaking will worsen at around 60 miles per hour, but the vibrations will lessen as you go faster. While new tires are usually balanced, they may not stay that way as they wear down. Not only do they get lighter over time, but they may also wear unevenly. Uneven wear is why you may need to have your tires rebalanced. A technician can add weights to your tires to get rid of the imbalance.
Bubbles
A tire bubble is a bulge that sticks out of the tire’s sidewall. Tire bubbles are a harder problem to solve than the average flat that results from a puncture. A bubble is the result of air leaking from the tire’s interior to the outside layers and getting trapped. If there is too much pressure within the bubble, you may face a blowout. The best solution is to replace your tires immediately.
Tread Separation
Under certain circumstances, the tread can separate from the rest of the tire. This often happens when the tires are exposed to high temperatures or if they have been underinflated for an extended period. Tread separation is another condition that can result in a blowout and calls for immediate tire replacement.
Do not ignore issues with your tires. Technicians can diagnose and solve tire problems including the ones that might cause your car to shake. Preventive maintenance may help to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
Car Shaking When It Starts?
This shaking is probably not from your tries, but if your car shakes when starting, several issues could be to blame. It may be from dirty filters or you need new spark plugs, each of these may cause your car to shake due to a lack of sufficient air or fuel.
Also, consider the crankshaft damper. The purpose of this part is to stop shaking. If it’s not functioning properly, intense vibrations can be the result. If left unrepaired, the shaking will get worse over time.
Bad Tires Can Lead To A Blowout
A tire blowout can occur at any time. It can be a harrowing experience, and it’s important to react calmly if you can. If you are driving fast on the highway, a tire blowout can be very stressful. You may hear a loud bang, and then your car will pull to the right or left on the same side as where the tire blowout is. If you are driving when a tire blows, there are a number of steps you can take to keep yourself safe.
Hold On Tight to the Steering Wheel
Your steering wheel may start to shake, and it’s important to hold on tight until your car comes to a complete stop. When a tire blows, your car is going to be difficult to steer. Do your best to pull over on the side of the road, or at the very least keep your car out of oncoming traffic. Understand that your car is going to be very hard to steer if a tire blows, and you will need to try your best to hold on.
Lay Off the Brakes
While your natural inclination may be to slam on the brakes if you experience a tire blowout, this is not a safe practice. Slamming on your brakes is not going to help in this situation. Allow your car to slow down and stop naturally. Slamming on your brakes can make it even more difficult to steer your vehicle into a safe spot.
Turn On Your Flashing Lights
Whenever you experience a tire blowout and you are no longer able to operate your car, turn on your flashing lights immediately. If you have a cell phone, call for help as soon as you can. You don’t want to be on the road any longer than you have to be. If your car is in traffic when you stop, get out of your car when it is safe to do so and wait for help in a safe spot.
Tire blowouts can be stressful, but if you follow the above safety tips, you should get out of the experience with minimal damage. Try to stay calm and bring your car to a slow, gradual stop. Call for help and wait in a safe place for help to arrive.