What causes a tire to shred are numerous and may include low pressure in tires, road condition, overloading vehicle, and many more. To avoid this problem, you must be cautious about driving and adequately check and maintain the tires.
I remember my first experience with a shredded tire. I was moving on the highway with a colleague in the car when suddenly I heard a loud noise, and my tire blew out and shredded. It was indeed a scary experience.
This article will examine what it means when you have a shreaded tire and how to prevent it from happening to your vehicle.
What Does A Shredded Tire Mean?
A shredded tire happens when a tire’s rubber pieces lose and begin to separate from the tire, causing the tire to be destroyed and unusable.
When driving, a tire can rapidly lose air pressure which in turn creates heat and friction in the tire. If the tire keeps moving at high speed with low air pressure, parts of the tire, like the rubber, will begin to tear out, causing tire shred. Once your tire is in this position, it is condemned and cannot be used anymore.
A common occurrence is tire shredded on highway. Due to the high speed of cars on the highway, it is easier for tires to lose pressure and develop extreme heat that could lead to front tires shredding.
What Causes A Tire To Shred
Why do tires shred? Tire shredding in automobiles is often a result of low pressure or overload, harsh weather conditions, and frequent contact with rough surfaces. Over time, car tires can lose their integrity, leading to the shredding of the rubber bushings. This kind of damage accelerates the wear on tires and can ultimately lead to tire blow-outs, which are dangerous outcomes of continued tire loss and degradation.
There are a lot of factors that could cause shredded or ripped tires. The common causes include the following.
1. Using tire under pressure
Every tire has a recommended air pressure that should be strictly adhered to. Air in tires plays a significant role in reducing the amount of friction and keeping the parts of the tire intact when driving.
When your tire is low on air pressure, heat builds up faster, which will then cause quicker wear and tear, leading to a ripped tire.
2. Condition of Road
One common cause of tire shredded while driving is the road condition. When you are driving on a road that is not smooth, with many potholes and cracks, there is a high tendency that the tire will get damaged.
When you drive on a road that is not, you are advised to go slowly, and this is because the faster you move, the harder you hit the rough edges of the road, which may cause a tire leak and result in a shredded tire.
3. Overloading vehicle
Every vehicle has a weight that it can carry, and it is calculated considering the amount of weight the tire can carry. Once you move beyond the expected weight, it could be risky.
When you overload your vehicle, your tires will quickly lose air pressure. The weight of the load will also increase the friction on the tires, increasing the level of wear and tire. Any moment your vehicle will begin to experience of inside of tire shredded and can also fall from jack.
4. Debris On the Road
The road that you drive contains different objects that have accumulated over time. These objects include nails, broken bottles, and many more. These objects can cause severe damage to your tire when driving.
For instance, you can be speeding on the highway, and your tire gets punctured by a nail. Your tire will lose a lot of air pressure rapidly, and if you are not aware of your tire’s condition and continue driving, your tire will get ripped.
5. Tire Leaks
Another cause of being tire shredded is leaking in the tire. Leaks in the tire are one common problem that many car users are not usually aware of until the problem has escalated.
If not fixed immediately, a little leak in your tire could expand over time and allow air to escape faster, leading to a shredded tire.
6. Camber Angle
If you do not know what camber is, it is the level of tilt of the tire or wheel of your vehicle, and it could be negative or positive.
Cambers are good for specific purposes, but too much of a camber is not suitable for your vehicle as it could cause the tire ripped on side.
How To Prevent From Tire Shredding?
If you do not want your tire ripped, there are some maintenance tips you need to adopt. Once you adhere to these tips, you will have longer-lasting tires.
Some of the tips include the following
1. Keep your tires inflated
Keeping your tire up to the required tire pressure will help reduce the heat that may build up when driving. It also will reduce the level of wear and tear that happens in the tires.
2. Use the right tire
Many people do not understand that there are different tires for some specific types of vehicles. For instance, a truck used for heavy-duty purposes will require another type tire from an SUV.
3. Avoid Overloading Your Vehicle
Vehicles and tires are built to handle a specific amount of weight; once you are over that weight, your tire will shred. Try not to go beyond the particular weight of your vehicle.
4. Driver Education
You need to understand how to driver correctly. By having the proper driving education, you will understand the specific speed limit for a particular area and how to read signs that may show you the condition of the road ahead.
Also, you need to understand certain things about your vehicle, like how to check tire pressure and the specific weight your vehicle can carry. Knowing this will stop you from making mistakes that could cost your vehicle its tires.
5. Check for leaks
You must also check your vehicle for leaks before going out or returning from a trip. Once you find a leak in the tire, get it fixed immediately.
How Do You Fix A Ripped Tire
It is not advisable to fix a ripped or shredded tire. The truth is that the tire cannot be fixed and should be changed immediately.
When your tire shred, the rubber of the tire completely tires open, which makes it quite impossible to fix back. At this point, you will have to give up your tire and change with a new tire.
Appropriate regulatory bodies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA)have clarified that the only way to fix a tire is when it has been punctured. You will have to fill the hole and then use a repair patch to repair this.
How Long Can You Drive With A Ripped Tire?
With a ripped tire, you are expected to stop driving as soon as the rip occurs. It is risky to continue driving a tire after it has been torn. If you continue to drive, you can further destroy the wheel of the vehicle, which would cost you more to get fixed. You can drive a flat tire for a limit of 50 miles after the tire has been punctured.
Also, the ripped tire will cause more friction on the ground, which means that the tire parts that have been ripped can easily ignite, causing fire on the wheel and further spreading.
How Long Should Tires Last?
Tires are meant to last between 60,000 to 75,000 miles which is about 5 years. However, the lifespan of a tire is dependent on other factors.
How you use a tire will determine how long the tire will last. If the appropriate maintenance culture is adopted, your vehicle’s tire will last for the required time.
Also, how you drive and where you drive will tell how long your tire will last. If you are a reckless driver, do not expect your tire to last that long. The condition of the road you drive can reduce the lifespan of your tire. Roads that are not smooth and contain a lot of potholes will damage your tires sooner than expected.
Conclusion
A lot of questions pop up, like why is my tire shredded on highway or what causes a tire to shred? The answer to the question depends on how well you manage your tires, the condition of the road you drive in, and how you forward. You must educate yourself on your tires and adopt a proper maintenance culture to avoid shredded tires.