What happens when a tire is out of round?

Tire runout — also sometimes referred to as out-of-round — involves a tire which is no longer perfectly round. As a result, the tire’s balance will be thrown off. Up to a certain point, runout won’t affect the performance of a car.

Is it dangerous to drive with out of round tires?

As tires wear down over time, they may start to crack; if cracking goes unaddressed for too long, a tire may burst while you’re driving. Meanwhile, if a car’s tires are inadvertently over- or under-inflated, the tires are prone to premature wear, increasing the risk of a blowout.

What makes a car ride bumpy?

Rough, bumpy rides can be due to bad tire alignment, incorrect air pressure – too low, too high, different pressures in each tire – or even the tires not being mounted properly. Worst case scenario could be the rims themselves have become damaged or warped.

How do you true an out of round tire?

Take your out-of-round tire to the tire shop and have them shave the tire round on the tire shaving machine. Have them also re-balance the tire with a high-speed balancer. Once you shave rubber off of the tire, the balance will be off.

What do out of round tires feel like?

The common symptoms of out-of-balance tires are uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, and vibration in the steering wheel, the floorboard or the seat that gets worse at faster speeds. When all areas of the wheel-tire unit are as equal in weight as possible, the tire will roll smoothly.

What causes steer tires to go out of round?

Faulty shocks, loose/worn wheel bearings, severe balance issues, mismatched pressures or tire diameters, excessive high speed empty operation.

Can out of round wheels be fixed?

Potholes, curbs, road hazards and debris can cause bends to the inner and/or outer lip of a wheel resulting in air pressure loss, uneven tire wear, vibrations at high speeds and alignment issues. In most cases, bent wheels can be safely straightening with our wheel straightening service.

Can tires cause a rough ride?

Tire troubles are actually the #1 cause of car vibration, and “rough riding”. Tires are often overlooked when it comes to a smooth ride. There could be a few different culprits: Tires need to be rotated and balanced – If you are noticing vibration of your steering wheel, this is likely the cause of your rough ride.

Can tires make a smoother ride?

Switching to a smaller wheel and a thicker tire can give you a smoother ride without any major modifications to your car.

What to do if your tires are not out of round?

If the tire is not out-of-round, check the wheel. An out-of-round wheel can also play a role in a ride complaint. One vehicle maker has identified more than 100 different items that can contribute to a ride problem, and one Midwest tire dealer said it feels more like 1,000.

What is tire runout and how does it affect your car?

Tire runout — also sometimes referred to as out-of-round — involves a tire which is no longer perfectly round. As a result, the tire’s balance will be thrown off. Up to a certain point, runout won’t affect the performance of a car. Yet once it reaches a critical threshold, problems like vibration and excessive wear will ensue.

Are out-of-round tires a thing of the past?

Well, not quite. Occasionally, a tire line can experience problems with being out-of-round before the problem is located and solved. So, the issue is not completely behind us. But, our best guess is that out-of-round tires will be history in about five years.

Why are out-of-round tires endangered?

Today, an out-of-round tire is on the endangered species list. You can find one, but it sure isn’t like the old days. Why? Because vehicle makers instruct – demand, rather – that tiremakers produce OE tires to meet specific dimensions and weight requirements, along with longevity expectations, speed ratings and handling performance.