Is it possible to drive on deformed tires?

A car, no matter how modern and technically advanced it is, will always remain dependent on four points of contact with the road - tires. Everything else - horsepower, gearboxes, sensors, premium interior materials are just a superstructure. If a tire is bent, deflated or has hidden internal deformation, the entire balance is disrupted. The car no longer drives, but "floats", does not hold on to the road, but "walks". And this is no longer just about comfort, but a safety issue.

Everyone who drives on one set of tires for a long time, or buys used ones, or gets into potholes (which is a daily reality for our roads), sooner or later has a situation when it seems that everything is in order, but something is wrong. The car vibrates, the steering wheel shakes at a certain speed, the rear wheel hums, or clarity disappears in turns. And often the reason is precisely the deformation of the tire.

What is tire deformation?

In everyday life, a "deformed tire" sounds like something obvious, you can see that it is curved or pot-bellied. But in reality, everything is more complicated. Deformation can be immediately noticeable, and sometimes hidden, internal. The tire visually looks normal, but it rides like it is inflated. And these are the most insidious situations.

Deviations from the correct geometry can be different. This is cord delamination, breaker deformation, overheating, separation of the inner layer of rubber, as well as banal hum on the sidewall or a curved bead after an impact. Often, deformation is not a point, but a zone. A few centimeters in radius or area, where the rubber "floats" to the side or has a harder / softer segment. And this already changes the dynamics of the movement of the entire car. The entire body of the car begins to react to this micro-unevenness, especially at speed.

Reasons for deformations in rubber

First of all, it is worth saying honestly - no rubber is immortal. It works under conditions of enormous pressure, heating, and sometimes overloads. But there are factors that are almost guaranteed to lead to tire deformation:

1. Falling into a deep hole at speed. This is a classic. One sharp blow and a "hernia" is already walking on the sidewall. This is an internal rupture of the cord threads, which is not always immediately noticeable.
2. Improper storage of tires. Especially in the summer on a balcony, where the rubber overheats, and in the winter in a cold garage on bare concrete. If the tires lie under the weight of one another for a long time, this also leads to deformation.
3. Pressure violation. If you drive on under-inflated or over-inflated wheels, the tire wears unevenly. Gradually, one sector begins to "play" and a vibration or "beat" appears.
4. Overheating. If you drive at high speed for a long time in the heat or with a large load, the tire begins to "float". This is especially dangerous for summer tires with a soft sidewall.
5. Poor repair. A patch in the wrong place or not done according to the technology can also cause deformation.

How to feel that the tire is deformed

Unfortunately, this is not always visible to the eye. But there are several signs that should alert you:

• the steering wheel shakes at a speed of 80-110 km/h;
• the car pulls to one side when braking or simply on a flat road;
• you hear a rhythmic hum from one side of the car;
• after balancing, the effect disappears only for a day or two;
• uneven tread wear, "dusty" segments are visible.

Often the driver cannot understand that the problem is in the tire. It seems that a bearing is buzzing somewhere or the disk is crooked. But when they change the wheel to the spare, the car starts to drive perfectly. And then it becomes clear that the reason is in the tire.

What are the dangers of driving on deformed tires?

The main danger is unpredictability. The car can lose stability in turns, wear out the rear part when braking, or "float" at high speed. If it is the front wheels, the steering wheel becomes unstable. If it is the rear wheels, the dynamics become nervous.

And a deformed tire wears out faster. It is erased "in spots", disables the chassis, shock absorbers, bearings. That is, a seemingly insignificant problem leads to significant costs.

Sometimes the deformation becomes critical already on the go, for example, a bead on the sidewall can burst on the highway, and then the wheel bursts with a characteristic bang. At best, it is simply a sharp decrease in pressure. At worst, you lose control of your car.

Can you "cure" a deformed tire?

It all depends on the degree of damage. If it's just a slight "floating" of the tread, sometimes mounting it on another disk, reversing the direction, checking the balancing helps. But in most cases, it can't be cured.

Some craftsmen take on vulcanization or hot gluing of the inner layer, but the result is short-lived. The tire can lose its shape in just a few weeks. Therefore, if you plan to drive a lot, especially on highways or with children in the cabin, you shouldn't save on safety.

How to check a used tire when buying

You should always carefully check a used tire before it ends up on your car. And here you should beattentive.

• Inspect the tread - there should be even wear, without "spots".
• Run your hand around the circumference of the tire and feel all the "humps" or "hollows".
• Pay attention to the inner side - this is where damage often appears.
• Check the sidewall for bumps, microcracks, seams, roughness.

It is best to buy used tires only from trusted sellers who test each tire on a balancing stand, check for tightness and do not try to "cheat" rubber after a serious impact.

What to do if there is already a deformation

1. Putting the tire on another disk and checking the balance sometimes helps.
2. If there is a hernia, then do not operate it further, it will not disappear.
3. If the tire "beats" and vibrates, it is necessary to remove and replace it three times.
4. If the tire is deformed, it is imperative to check the chassis, because often the fault is poor camber-toe or knocked corners.

Tire deformation is not just a "crooked wheel". This is a real threat that may be imperceptible, but will lead to serious consequences. The car must drive stably, predictably, without vibrations and jerks. Otherwise, it is no longer transport, but a source of problems. So if you suspect that something is wrong with your wheels,  don't delay. Check. And if it's time to buy new ones -  do it where the tires are checked for you.

Eurokoleso - high-quality used tires from Europe, without deformations and "surprises"

In our Eurokoleso store you will find only selected used tires that are tested before sale. We check each wheel on the stand, guarantee the absence of hum, delamination and hidden defects, photograph each tire from all sides. We also select a set for a specific car model and deliver throughout Ukraine.

We don't sell "just anything". We select what we would drive on ourselves. Without deformations, without risks, with the understanding that a tire is not just rubber, but an element on which your life depends. Contact us and we will select something that is truly worthy of your trust.