Tire and Rim Maintenance
Maintaining a motor vehicle means knowing what can go wrong, how to find a solution, and what to do in case of an emergency situation. Tires, in particular, require a great deal of attention in case something should go wrong. As tires dictate a driver’s control over the direction of the vehicle, keeping the major parts of a tire, including rims, in good working order is extremely important to roadway safety. A significant deformity in a rim can substantially affect a tire’s performance, which in turn affects a driver’s control over their vehicle.
In terms of rim size, installing the correct rims on the right vehicle can make a major difference in driver comfort and tire performance. If a rim is too wide, the tire may not be given enough space to properly adjust to the road. As a result, a driver’s experience will be much less pleasant and may damage the tire during turns, as the tire will undergo unexpected wear.
On the other hand, a rim that is too narrow will also cause problems for a car owner. If put under cornering stresses at heightened speeds, a tire can actually distort when rims are too narrow. In addition to distortion, drivers suffer a loss of handling ability. This can compromise a driver’s ability to respond properly to avoid a collision if an emergency arises.
If a driver experiences a noticeable lack of pressure in their tires over repeated instances, the rim may be to blame. When a rim warps or becomes damaged, the notable result is a vibration coming from that wheel. However, beyond just shaking, this problem can cause a tire to lose pressure. Without proper pressure, tires can not only cost gas mileage, but also put drivers at risk for blowout scenarios.
To learn more about tire and rim safety and how these accidents can be addressed from a legal standpoint, contact a car accident attorney.