Your tires are the life force of your vehicle. Unfortunately, because of this, they’re bound to take a beating. In fact, plenty of factors can cause tire tread damage, and they can all wreak havoc on both your tires and your wallet. A simple tire replacement can usually fix the issue of tire tread damage. But how can you avoid it altogether before it adds up to a costly repair?

It’s important to determine whether your tire tread damage is the result of driving, environmental conditions, or simple wear and tear. All this digging is in hopes of avoiding a recurrence in the future. Luckily, there are a few ways to distinguish tire damage so you can minimize the chances of a repeat. Look out for these tell-tale signs of tire tread damage, then ask your mechanic to help you decode yours.

Three Types of Tire Tread Damage

Uneven Tread Wear

This is often caused by improper inflation, misaligned wheels, damaged tires, and/or problems with suspension parts. Uneven tread wear can be the result of going too long between wheel alignments, and avoiding routine tire rotations.

Excessively Worn Tread

Excessive wear and tear typically occurs when the tread is worn down to the tread-wear indicator bars that can be found in your tires.

Tread Break-Up

This is defined as breaks in the casing that are caused by sudden, and sharp deformations in the tires. Normally, the deformations are the results of driving over an angular object at high speed. Unfortunately, this type of damage will worsen due to over inflation and overloading.

Not much can be done for your tread or tires if any of these damages occur. So the only solution would be to replace your tires. But knowing how to identify these types of impairments can help you remain safe out on the road in the future. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the type of tires you’re driving. This can make it easier to find a replacement.

For more information about tread damage, check back with our Ed Payne Service Blog. If you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, stop by one of our Ed Payne RGV dealerships to speak to a professional. You can also schedule an appointment with our service department to get your vehicle in tip-top shape, just in time for fall.