Flat tires are never convenient. When was the last time you had one and thought, gosh, this really happened at a good time? Never. Flat tires are something everyone would like to avoid. They’re never expected and always happen when you’re on your way to something important. Your local Philadelphia, PA auto repair shop sees flat tires all the time and there are many reasons they occur. Here are some of the most common that might be able to help you avoid such an incident:
Extreme Temperatures
If there’s a huge drop in temperature, which certainly can happen in this region of the country, the low-pressure light might come on the dash board when you start up the car in the morning. Tires gain or lose 1 pound of pressure per square inch for every ten degrees the temperate changes. In extreme heat, tire pressure expands and that can go beyond what your tire can handle, which could cause it to fail. The best thing you can do is avoid driving during the most extreme times and keep an eye on the tire pressure. If your tires are too low, pump them up. When they get too high, let air out.
Leaking Valve Stem
The valve stem on a tire is what opens to allow you to fill or let air out of the tire. It should automatically seal to keep pressure in the tires, but if it’s dirty or damaged, the tire could be losing air without you knowing it. If you notice your pressure keeps dropping, stop by an auto repair shop to get it replaced or repaired before it gets worse.
Tire Bead Leak
Every now and then, the edge of the tire where the rim rests might cause air to leak out. Spray the wheels with soapy water and if you see bubbles in that area, you probably have a leak.
Road Debris
We’ve all hit things on the road like potholes, boards, scraps of metal and other items. These hazards can be hard to see or impossible to avoid. You can usually fix the tire with a patch if it starts to leak, but sometimes, the item ruins the tire and you have to get a new one, so the leaking will stop.
Avoiding a flat tire isn’t always possible and when it happens to you, visit a Philadelphia, PA auto repair shop to make sure your tire is in the best possible condition for the roads. You don’t want to drive on a tire that explodes, putting you into a dangerous situation. Contact Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270 to have professionals look over the tire that has been giving you trouble. One of the above things could be happening or it could be something more uncommon. SAR will figure it out one way or the other and make sure you get back on the road with a safe, efficient vehicle. Come visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll take a look at all of your tires.
