Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second
How often does a customer visit your garage urgently because of a busted tire or due to wheel alignment issues? Any auto shop owner knows not to neglect two key parts of the vehicle, i.e., tires and wheels. Sadly, most people do not bother with them.
For powerful trucks like the Toyota Tundra, the tires are sturdy and don’t need to be replaced as often. But as a shop owner, you’d know that ignoring these tires for too long can cause a lot of trouble.
Over time, tires are damaged internally and externally, putting the driver’s safety at risk. You need to check the wheel alignment and air pressure in tires for a smoother drive. Also, let’s not forget it helps prevent bigger disasters on the road.
Let’s go a bit more in-depth about the reasons behind wheel and tire checks during the inspection.
Signs of wear and tear in tires during vehicle inspection
Did you know that according to Global Status Report, a total of 646 people died on the road due to tire-related issues in 2023?
Therefore, tires need to have the correct air pressure and balance. Especially when driving in a cold climate or travelling a long-distance.
Here are common telltale signs that the auto garage manager or technician looks for in wear and tear in tires:
- In case of worn suspension and wheel alignment issues, wear and tear are more pronounced.
- Too much inflation (air pressure) in tires causes the middle section to contact the road more than necessary. One part of the tire is creating more friction, hence causing the tire’s edges to wear down.
- Too little air pressure tears down the outer edges of tires, causing misalignment while driving at high speeds.
- Erratic tread wear, also known as cupping, disrupts the wheel’s balance. Tires do not absorb the shock on a bumpy or gravelly road.
- Unusual vibration (somewhat thumping noise) indicates the tire is out of balance due to a flat spot.
How auto technicians take care of the tires and wheels during a car inspection
One of the most advanced ways to inspect a vehicle is to use digital vehicle inspection systems. Using such tools ensures that tires and wheels are inspected thoroughly and leaves little to no room for error. That’s why auto garage owners check off everything on their list that takes place during vehicle inspections:
By tire rotation
Tire rotation is usually from front to rear, or it can be side to side, too. Front and rear tires have different loads that impact their performance on the road. Braking and steering have particular effects on each set of tires, resulting in wear and tear patterns. The majority of the impact is on the front tires. However, using vehicle inspection software, shops can check the differences between front and rear tires.
While rotation varies from 5,000 and 7,000 miles, each tire is designed to rotate in a particular direction. This is common in performance cars where tires rotate from front to rear. Plus, the front tire size is different from the rear tire size, which causes poor axle rotation.
Hence, the reason technicians are always keen on checking the tire rotation.
By tire balancing
Does the car seem unsteady and slightly bumpy? Or that it isn’t touching the road the right way? This indicates uneven tire balancing. During vehicle inspection, especially in high-performance cars, uneven wear and tire damage are often diagnosed.
This happens in cases where the vehicle owner lags in regular inspection. To prevent uneven wear, technicians attach small weights to the wheels on one side of the car. This step is taken to limit the vibration when taking a turn (especially sharp turns).
In case the tires are pretty much worn out, new tires are installed to ensure that these cars have no unnecessary vibrations.
By wheel alignment
Every vehicle’s wheel alignment is different. It is the position of the wheels recommended by the vehicle manufacturers at an appropriate angle. Manual checks are common. But it also increases the chances of errors in reporting, which is why vehicle inspection tools are the most reliable choice. If any alignment does not fulfill the range, it can be readjusted during vehicle inspection.
Usually, wheel alignment is checked and adjusted at the time of new tire installation. Or even at the time, if unusual characteristics about steering are noticed. So if the car is not driving or pulling to either side, its wheel alignment is balanced. But there can be other causes other than wheel alignment, that’s why auto technicians thoroughly check tires and wheels.
Conclusion
Spending a good amount of time checking tires, wheel alignment, and other areas is necessary to avoid accidents. Get the wheels and tires checked every month or every 12,000 miles for your safety and to improve the vehicle’s performance.
