Even the highest-quality tires will wear down over time, and worn tires make driving difficult or even dangerous. As your Alfa Romeo dealership, we’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a tire service.
Tire Bulge
A tire bulge appears as a raised area on the tire surface. Bulges usually form if you strike a speed bump or a curb at the wrong angle or if part of the tire is pinched against a solid object. The impact damages the cords that make up the tire, forming an air-filled pocket. The rubber over the affected area is also stretched thinner than it should be.
As you drive, the air inside the tires heats up due to friction with the surface. This causes tire pressure to increase and the tires to expand slightly. This extra pressure on the weakened rubber around a bulge can cause it to burst, and your tire will blow out. If you notice a bulge, visit us ASAP. We can’t repair the tire’s internal damage, but we can replace it quickly so you can drive safely.
Bald Tire
The tread is the raised section on the part of a tire that’s in contact with the surface. It helps the tire to securely grip the surface, improving control while driving and reducing your stopping speed when you brake. Tread is broken up by grooves, which are designed to channel water, mud, or snow behind the tire so they don’t collect between the tread and surface and reduce your control.
Surface friction causes the tread to steadily wear down, and when the tread thickness reaches 2/32″, a tire needs to be replaced. A bald tire has lost almost all its tread and looks smooth. These tires provide almost no surface grip, making it likely that you could lose control if you have to brake suddenly on a slick surface. We’ll fit and balance new tires to replace any that are bald.
Cupped Tires
Cupping is a type of damage that can occur on the outer edges of the tread. It appears as regularly spaced indents where rubber has been scooped out, and is caused by sections of the tire hitting the surface harder than they should. This could be due to worn shocks, which help absorb the impact when you drive over a rough surface. It can also happen if your wheel alignment is incorrect.
Our technicians can correct any wheel alignment issues or replace worn shocks while you wait. We’ll also check the cupped tires to ensure they are still safe to drive on.
Contact our service department today at Criswell Alfa Romeo in Germantown, MD.
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