All Tire Questions & Answers

Can uneven tire wear cause scraping noise? Most car owners know that when you hear scraping noises coming from the tires, they are most likely worn down unevenly – with one side wearing out faster than the other. Not all uneven tire wear will malignantly lead to this noise. It is worth noting that there are many other causes of a scraping noise coming from your tire. These would include things such as potholes, loose stones, and nails, metal structures such as metal grating on the road, or loose wires under your vehicle. Uneven tire wear could also result from driving differently regarding how you accelerate and brake. If you were to drive across rough terrain faster than usual or brake more harshly, it could lead to the uneven tire wear you hear. You May Also Like: Is Uneven Tire Wear Dangerous? [+ 4 SURPRISING Reasons] Can Uneven Tire Wear Cause Scraping Noise The answer to this question, however, is surprisingly simple. Despite the many other causes of scraping noise listed above, uneven tire wear is caused by a number of things. These would include driving on roads with bumpy surfaces like gravel or roads damaged by previous vehicles. Potholes are another cause of uneven tire wear. Potholes are generally holes on the road that have been produced by water in the winter months seeping through. Tire blowouts can also be another cause of scraping noise as they leave your tires worn unevenly and result in the tire shredding down to its inner membrane – known as “the belt”. This is where most of the noise occurs. Uneven tire wear can also be caused by driving on a lumpy road surface – this is common while driving on roads with a stone base. Driving at high speed that way could lead to premature wear of your tires and make them feel very bumpy when you brake sharply. Remember that if you drive at normal speeds on roads with a stone base, your tires will not wear evenly, and the chances of encountering uneven tire wear will be slightly higher. However, another way for uneven tire wear to occur would be for you to ignore the noises coming from underneath your car. If your car makes a lot of noise and the vibrations feel like something is in the wheel, such as a nail or piece of gravel, you might want to take it to a mechanic immediately. Metal Scraping Noise When Driving To start with, you may hear a scraping noise while you accelerate. It will either be a low-pitched or high-pitched sound, and it could also be a grinding one. The scraping noise could also be heard when you are braking and will most likely occur when you reach higher speeds. What causes this? Several factors can lead to this kind of scraping noise. Some of these include: Poor alignment – especially if your car has worn-out tires, the alignment might have been affected too. Poorly aligned cars experience faster tire wear as they develop irregular pressure points. This uneven pressure is what causes scrapes in the tire when the car is being driven fast in the long term. Inner wheel bearing damage – if your wheel bearings are damaged, they could make a scraping noise. Rubber tire treads – when the tires on your car get worn down, the rubber’s tiny fissures will start to become more pronounced. If you drive fast enough, these small fissures will scrape across the wheel’s surface and eventually cause the scraping noise you hear while driving. Rough roads – if any rough parts in your roads or potholes have not been repaired on time, any car with low-quality tires will experience a rapid process of wear. When this happens, you can also expect to hear this kind of noise. The road surface – if your tires have been worn down often and you drive on rough roads, you will likely hear scraping noises while driving. Why Is My Wheel Making A Scraping Noise? There are several reasons why your car’s wheel can make scraping noises. Some of these reasons include the following: Electrical wires underneath the vehicle – if your car has a high-voltage electrical system, it could get damaged or break down randomly. When this happens, the tension in the wires can produce some sort of scraping noise when the car is being driven fast. Rubber tire treads – when the tires on your car get worn down, the rubber’s tiny fissures will start to become more pronounced. If you drive fast enough, these small fissures will scrape across the wheel’s surface and eventually cause the scraping noise you hear while driving. Is It Safe To Drive With A Scraping Noise? If you hear a scraping noise while driving, what should you do?Not all scraping noises will cause your car to be unsafe to drive. It all depends on the type of sound and its intensity. If it is a light scraping, it is probably safe to drive in this circumstance, but if it is a harsh scraping noise, then it could be time for you to make sure your vehicle does not need repairs. Resist the urge to ignore the scraping noise. It can worsen if you do not deal with it, and your car could eventually break down completely. Traffic accidents – if a scraping noise occurs while you are driving and you do not stop to deal with it, you may end up in a major accident when your wheel’s tire shreds off entirely. This could cause your car to lose control and crash into a wall or another vehicle. If you are going to continue driving with a scraping noise, make sure that you take it to a mechanic as soon as possible because instead of the scraping noise stopping, it will get worse and become more frequent. Metal Scraping Sound When Accelerating At first, it may seem like a piece of metal is scraping the … Read more

Some do not see the need to apply tire shine on the tires while others refuse to apply this as a result of the fear of the tire shine causing damage to the car paint. Does tire shine damage paint? Undoubtedly, tire shine is capable of adding a new look to the tires and giving the car a great look. the question however is if the shine is a threat to the car paint or not. So, can tire shine damage paint? Yes and no. yes if any of the constituents of the tire shine is acidic or corrosive when such tire shine gets on the car paint at any point, there is a good chance that the paint may get damaged by it. If, however, the tire shine is completely free of any acidic or corrosive element, then, you do not have to panic or get worried when the tire shine gets on the car paint. So, what determines whether the tire shine is of threat to the car paint or not is its composition. The first step in using a tire shine on your car tire, therefore, is to find out the type of chemicals the shine is made up of and determine whether any of such chemicals are safe for your car paint or not.  Assuming all tire shines are bad for the car paint and therefore prohibiting yourself from using tire shine on your car is an erroneous assumption. Similarly, believing that tire shines are safe without a considerable amount of research on the composition of the tire shine is equally erroneous. The various types of chemicals the tire shine is constituted of is the delineating factor here. If the tire paint has any acidic or corrosive constituent which is harsh on the car paint, then the possibility of such tire shine damaging the car paint when it gets on it is considerably high. If, however, the tire shine is such that it does not contain any of these harmful acidic substances, then, it poses threat to the car paint. This same principle applies to wheel cleaners as well. the most important determining factor is the type of chemical components the cleaner is made up of. When you go through the label of the cleaner and there is no presence of acidic or corrosive substances, then such cleaner is of no threat to the paint. Aside from your paint, the tire itself which is expected to improve in looks, be protected from fading, and have its life span prolonged following the application of the tire shine could equally be a risk of damage if the wrong tire shine is used. The tire’s sidewall could become cracked or develop breaks which will consequently reduce the tire’s lifespan considerably. So, instead of helping to extend the lifespan of the tires, it could lead to a shortening of the lifespan and the tire begins to form cracks prematurely. This is part of the reasons why some consider the use of tire shine unnecessary and are ready to forgo the great looks it confers on the tire and the car generally. Trending Searches What Are The Factors That Determine The Effect of a Tire Shine on Paint? Generally, all tire shines are such that they are composed of a solvent base which is either water, oil or hydrocarbon silicon, or any other base depending on the manufacturer’s preference. As earlier mentioned, not every tire shines out their damaged paint and not all are safe for the car paint either. The factor which determines if the tire shine is safe for the car paint or damages is the chemical content of the tire shine. When the tire shine is applied on the tire, if the car is driven before the shine dries off properly, some of it could sling off the tire as it rotates in a circular motion and gets onto the car paint and other parts of the car. Leading to tire shine on paint – your vehicle’s paint. This creates the fear of getting your car paint damaged by the tire shine. Another situation where the tire paint can also get on the car paint is when the car wash malfunctions while washing the car. It could begin to rub off the tire paint over the body of the car and smear it all over. But, is tire shine bad for paint? Will it damage or hurt your vehicle’s paint? Before this time, if the car owner had taken some quality time to learn about the type of tire shine that is okay for the car and the type that is not, on basis of the tire shine’s chemical composition, then, there will be absolutely no need for panic when any of this incidence occurs. This information can be gotten from reading the user manual guide that comes with the tire shine, there, the chemical composition of the tire shine will be well spelled out, and its solvent base, whether it is water or oil solvent base will also be clearly stated. The types of chemicals, acids, corrosives, and others will also be stated.  This is to enable you to make an informed decision on what is most suitable for your vehicle. If this information’s are unable to assist you to make a clear decision, then turn to your mechanic or a professional at the auto repair shop for assistance. They will be able to guide you based on experience on what hurts your paint and what does not. How to Properly Apply the Tire Shine to Avoid Damage to the Paint? When applied properly, the tire shine is capable of giving your tire and by extension the car a great look, similar to cars seen in the showroom. Additionally, the tire durability factor is also improved. However, none of this is possible without learning about the right way to apply the shine. If not properly done, the tire shine can endanger your car paint and cause … Read more

To lift 35 inches tires, you will require at least 6 inch of lift, which of course depends on both the backspacing and offset of your vehicle wheels, and also on how wide your tires really are. In addition, you may need some fender trimming as well. You can find out from the lift kit manufacturers what sizes of wheels or tires you will be able to lift conveniently. The enclosed user manual will be a great help here. Why Should I Lift My Tires In The First Place? We may have to lift our vehicles for several reasons ranging from the need to change tires in cases where we get a flat, to enable us to work underneath the car, or in some rare situations, to free a vehicle that has been bogged down in mud or other obstacles. There is also another situation where we lift or raise the heights of our trucks to enable them to accommodate bigger tires or gain more traction using specialized lifting kits. Are There Things To Keep In Mind Before Lifting My Vehicle? Yes, there are. First and foremost, be sure that you have the right lift suitable for the weight of the vehicle you plan to lift. Secondly, make sure that you possess the know-how to undertake the operation safely. If you are convinced affirmatively on all these counts, then park the vehicle in a safe and dry place away from any potential danger. (Read Also: Is Uneven Tire Pressure Bad?Find Out) Remember not to park the car at certain places such as on a corner or a slope. Proceed thereafter to locate the jacking points under the vehicle, install the jack and lift up the car. If you plan to go underneath the car for whatever reasons, be sure to use a jack or axle stands for protection, in case the car slips and falls down. However, if you are only raising the height of the car to gain more traction or appeal, do not forget that your gas mileage may increase. What Size Lift Do I Need To Lift 32-inch Tires? For 32-inch tires, you need a 3-inch lift running 5 to 6-inch backspacing on its wheels. Everything depends on your tire width and backspacing. Conclusively, you need at least 3 to 4 inches for 32-inch tires. Trending Searches How Do I Go About Lifting My 35-inch Tires? To install 35-inch tires you require at least a 6-inch lift, though that depends on the car’s backspacing, offset of its wheels, and how wide your tires are. In some cases, fender trimming may be necessary before you install these tires. There are many methods of lifting your truck to enable it to accommodate bigger wheels or to improve traction with the road such as through the use of Torsion Keys which can add up to about 1.5 inches to your truck, Leveling kits, Body lifts, premium Lift Systems and so on. These lifting kits are safe for use in order to add height to your truck, particularly when they are installed by a professional. There is another instance where you may be required to lift your car if you have a flat tire or you need to go underneath it for some reason. In such cases, you will have to execute the following steps diligently. Step 1 After establishing that you have a flat tire, find a dry and safe place to park the car where neither you nor the car is at any risk from other vehicles or road users. Step 2 If you have the necessary equipment and possess the skill to jack the car up and replace the punctured tire, proceed to identify the jacking points underneath it. These points are made of hard metal and are mostly cited behind the front wheels but in front of the rear wheels. They are strengthened to effectively withstand the weight of the vehicle as well as that of any cargo it may carry too. Step 3 Ensure that you place chocks in front of the vehicle tires that are opposite the tire you wish to work on. This will prevent the car from any accidental motion as you work on its tires. Next, put the jack in place and proceed to raise the car. However, before you begin to use any jack, make sure that it is compatible with the weight of the vehicle. (Read Also: Is It Bad For Your Tires To Rub?Find Out Now) Manipulate the jack to enable you to raise the car to such a height that the flat tire can be removed and replaced with a good one. Do not forget to use axle or jack stands after lifting the car, if you plan to go under it for whatever reason. This is a protection you must not treat with any levity. (Read Also: How Big  Of A Tire Can I Put On A 2016 F 150? Find Out Now) Step 4 Remove the flat tire promptly and replace it with the spare, re-tighten the wheel bolts, and unwind the jack so that the car will stand on its wheels once again. You are essentially done after this. Do Bigger Tires Lift Your Truck? Yes, they do, which will effectively increase the vehicle’s ground clearance. Additionally, bigger tires increase your truck’s towing agility, as well as make handling easier. Do I Need A Lift Kit For A Bigger Tire? Yes, you do. This is because a lift kit will enable you to provide more space to accommodate massive wheels and tires, which relies on how much lift you give the vehicle. In addition, a lift kit will raise the clearance between the ground and the vehicle thereby enabling you to handle it more easier even in difficult terrains. What Size Tires Will Fit My Lifted Truck? For trucks that are not lifted, you can install tires of sizes up to about 33 inches, but for lifted trucks, you need tires that are about … Read more

Hitting a curb with your car can have very devastating effects on it, the severity of which will depend on the speed and force with which you strike the curb. As you hit the curb, a strong tremor runs through the entire vehicle with significant implications. Components that are mostly at risk include the tires, the suspension equipment, the steering, the wheel rims, and in fact, many other parts. The rims may be disfigured and knocked out of shape with obvious consequences, while the paintwork on the fender and vehicle sidings, may also suffer in the impact. We must not forget that the underside of the vehicle( also known as the bottom plate) itself may not be spared. We shall, in the course of this article, look at what can happen and also what your response should be when that happens. So, can hitting a curb cause a flat tire? Yes. When a vehicle hits a curb, a lot of things are bound to happen depending on the force of the collision. To start with, the wheel rim can buckle or bend out of shape. When this happens, the tight seal given to the tire by the rim is lost and air can then freely escape. Secondly, the sidewall of the tire can be torn since it is the most vulnerable part of the tire. This is because, unlike other parts of the tire, the sidewall has no steel wires to fortify it, which makes tear very easy on collision with a curb. In response, therefore, we should note that one of the commonest means of getting a flat is by hitting a curb.(Read Also:Can You Drive Without Axle Nuts?) Another way through which you can get a flat is when the tire forcefully impacts the curb and gets torn at places other than the sidewall such as its crown. Depending on the age and status of the tire, it is also easy to see that old and worn-out tires are very prone to quick blowouts than new strong tires are. Is It Bad To Drive Over A Curb? Yes, it sure is. This is because hitting a curb can lead to several malfunctions and damage to your car. First and foremost, your front tires that come in contact with the curb first, are liable to be damaged and so are the front rims too. Your front fender is also likely to be shattered on impact with the curb and so is your steering and vehicle suspension equipment. The suspension equipment includes shock absorbers that allow you complete control of the vehicle and also lessen the discomfort associated with driving through potholes and across gallops in the road. Driving over a curb can also severely affect the paintwork on the car by way of tearing or bruising the side of the impact. The strong impulse or tremor that runs into the vehicle upon collision with the curb can also affect many other functions and parts of the car. So, yes, it is bad to drive over a curb. Trending Searches What Should I Look For After Hitting A Curb? Many things are liable to happen to any vehicle that hits a curb, though the severity of the damage will depend on the force of the collision, the hardness of the curb, and also the speed of the vehicle at the moment of impact. To start with, your front tires and their rims are liable to buckle or get out of shape. They may even be forced to look in different directions altogether, which will make driving difficult or impossible. The suspension equipment of the vehicle may get shattered too and thus, begin to leak. Notable among the suspension equipment are the shock absorbers. So, immediately after impact and even much later afterwards, lookout for signs of leakage from the shock absorbers. Bent rims will cause an unavoidable air leak from the affected tires, either immediately or after some time. In any case, watch out for flat tires or a situation where the tires are self-deflating gradually. When any vehicle hits a curb, the most vulnerable part of the tire known as the sidewall can be torn or punctured irreparably. Most tire injuries around the sidewall are not repairable. Other things to watch out for in the car, when you hit a curb, are shattered fenders and bruised or destroyed side paintwork. In very extreme circumstances, the undercarriage of the car or what is sometimes called the bottom plate, maybe seriously destroyed. In such instances, look out for possible leakage of engine oil from beneath the vehicle. This leakage may be immediate or delayed for some time. Upon impact, the steering wheel is another likely victim, by way of either getting bent or obstructed from being used smoothly by anyone. What Damage Can Be Caused By Hitting A Curb? By hitting a curb, vehicle tires can be torn severely and their rims distorted or bent out of shape. The front tires and rims are more at risk than those in the rear. Similarly, the steering wheel may become stiff or even impossible to turn as usual. This means that there is no more proper control of the vehicle. Pieces of glass from shattered windshields and headlights, torn parts of your front fender, and other lights may be visible on impact at the site of the collision. When the steering wheel or rims are bent and distorted, the vehicle may become stiff and difficult to control. Very strong and forceful collisions may cause the chassis to be distorted out of shape, which will give the vehicle a crooked appearance. When the suspension of a vehicle is damaged, common signs to observe are the vehicle bounces in motion, while you may get tossed from side to side of the car. (Read Also: Is It Bad For Your Tires To Rub?Find Out Now) To worsen matters, a broken suspension may cause the vehicle to slam down forcefully when it goes over a bump. … Read more

There are compatibility issues when it comes to tires and their accompanying rims. This has made it mandatory for all drivers to know, with absolute certainty, what size tires will fit what size rims. In fact, this is where you should learn to study the number markings on your tire sidewalls. These numbers will tell you everything you need to know about tire/ rim compatibility. So, what size tire can I put on a 20×10 wheel? For any tire and rim to be perfectly fitted, there must not be any rubbing between the tire and anything else in the tire well of the vehicle. The following tires will all fit the  20 — 10 wheels: P 295/ 25 R20, P 245/ 39/ R20, and P 215/ 35 R20. Apart from these ones, other equally compatible tires with 20′ — 10 wheels are; tires with widths of between 245 or 255 mm, 255 or 265 mm, and 265 or 275 mm. Another is 275 or 285 mm tires. There are still other tires that will fit the 20 — 10 inch rims, which are : 295/ 50- 20, 295/ 55-20, 295/ 60- 20, 295/ 65-20. How do you know if a tire will fit a rim? It is easy to know whether a rim and a tire are a fit. Basically, the major criteria for this compatibility are the diameter and the width of both the rim and the tire. In the case of the diameter, you will have to be certain that your tires and wheels are a perfect match. For example, the 215/ 65 R17 tire will fit only a 17-inch wheel diameter. However, there’s a little flexibility when it comes to the widths of the wheels. In essence, if the widths and diameter of both your tire and rim are a perfect fit, you can swap them without any issues. Although the diameter is more strict than the width, which is said to be a little more flexible. What size tires do I need for 20 x 10 rims? The tire size you’ll need for your 20×10 wheels will depend on your driving preferences. To determine the right tire size rim, you may need to refer to the recommended tire sizes from your tire manufacturer. Your driver’s side door jamp may also provide more information about the recommended tire size for your vehicle. The following are tire sizes that fit 20×10 rims: 245 or 255 mm tires, 255 or 265 mm tires, 265 or 275 mm tires, and 275 or 285 mm tires too. Others are, the 295/ 50- 20, 295/ 55- 20, 295/ 60- 20, and 295/ 65- 20 tires. These tire sizes will provide you with good performance on the road. They’ll have good traction and handling as well as ensure you have a smooth and comfortable ride. Can I put wider tires on 20×20 wheels? Of course, you can put wider tires on 20×20 wheels comfortably. Therefore, it is expected that a 20×20 tire will be just fine in the front than the rear. All the same, in order to keep both the suspension and the speedometer functioning properly, the width and stock diameters of the wheels and tires need to be maintained. As a general rule of thumb, it is much safer to fit a tire up to about 20 mm wider than the stock on the original rim. Can I change tire size without changing rims? Indeed, it is possible to change the size of a tire without changing the rim. If you should want to use larger rims, you can get tires that compensate adequately for the larger rim by simply reducing the height of the outer tire. In fact, the larger your tire is, the more grip it is bound to have with the road. Conclusively, therefore, you can use larger tires on your rims as long as the middle of the tires are the correct sizes that you must fit on the rims. Trending Searches Can you put a different tire size on the same rim? Yes, you can put a different tire size on the same rim, if you will reduce the height of the outer tire. In other words, the larger your tire is, the more grip it is bound to have on the road. Furthermore, larger tires will only suit smaller rims, if the middle of the tires is of the correct size, otherwise, it won’t work. Does rim width matter for tires? Yes, the width of the rim actually matters as far as the tires are concerned. It is a well-known fact that the width of the rim greatly influences the width of the tire too. For this reason, any tire mounted on a narrow rim will simply be narrower than if the same size of the tire was mounted on a wide rim. As a general rule, for every 1/2 inch change in rim width, the tire’s section width should correspondingly change also by about 2/10 inches too. Along with the same recommendation, a 5 inches rim will perfectly fit a tire whose width is about 165 or 175 mm, 5.5inch rims for 175  or 185 mm tires, and 6.0-inch(Read Also: Does Spare Tires have TPMS?) Rims for 185 or 195-mm tires, and finally, 6.5-inch rims for 195 or 205-mm tires, and so on. Generally, up to about 20 mm, wider tires than stock can be put on the original rim. The actual tire width may vary depending on the width of the rim. A good tire can expand by up to about 5 mm for every 1/2 inch or 12.5 mm increase in the rim width. How big a tire can I put on a 20 x 10 rim? The size of the tire to be used is mostly controlled by a number of factors such as your vehicle specifications and your car manufacturer’s recommended tire size. Some of the commonest big-size tires you can put on a 20×10 rim are: P 235/ … Read more