Tire damage can be terrifying, as is the bill to get it fixed. The easiest way to deal with it is just to avoid it altogether. Of course, some have better luck with this than others, and sometimes stuff just happens, but we’ll armor you with some information and tips on how to prevent tire damage as best as you can. To kick this off, we’ll explain four of the most common types of damage: irregular wear, impact damage, cuts, and punctures.

Irregular wear:

This is when one part of the tire wears more quickly than others. This can be one sided wear, center wear, or braking flat tops. Another common example is called head to toe wear; this is when there’s higher wear on the block run-out edge. Not sure what that means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This happens when when tire air pressure is incorrect. To avoid irregular wear on your Accelera beauties, make sure your air pressure is accurate and you’re rotating your tires regularly.

Impact damage:

This involves damage to the carcass – aka the casing of the tire. It most often includes breaks or bulges. If you notice an externally visible bulge on the sidewall, that means that cords have been destroyed. While some impact damage is hard to avoid, curbs and similar obstacles, such as potholes, should only be driven over at an wide angle and at a relatively slow speed.

Cuts:

Cuts are pretty self-explanatory and typically pretty obvious to spot. They’re usually a result of sharp objects on the road. Unfortunately, once they happen, there’s really no way around it. Go see your local tire dealer immediately.

Punctures:

These are also usually a result of sharp objects on the road, but could be a bit harder to spot than cuts. They can vary in size, which then varies the severity of their effects. The most common consequence would be losing tire pressure. You’ll most likely need to visit your local tire dealer for these as well.

Extra tips:

When trying to repair any of these damages, it’s important to remember that external “plugs” are not recommended – repairs should be made from the inside. In other words, just hire a professional. And make sure they do it well.

In terms of trying to prevent tire damage, there a few things it’s best to avoid altogether. Avoid potholes, curbs, and debris in the road – however, don’t recklessly swerve into another lane to do so. Check to see if it’s a safe option first and if it’s not, continue at a safe or lower speed to minimize the impact. Also, avoid overloading your vehicle. Overloading can severely damage your tires or even cause a blowout, so check your owner’s manual to make sure you’re not overloading your tires. Finally, keep your tires properly inflated. This will lengthen the life of your tires, improve your gas mileage, and give you better handling, more dependable traction, and a better ride.