‘This is a life safety hazard,’ drivers shout as car owner ignores note about dangerous tire problem – and it’s a common mistake

DRIVERS shared a photo of a tire in a dangerous but unnoticeable condition – commenters shared tips on how to avoid it.

There are three common contributors to the condition and only one fix.

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Redditors took to the r/slightly annoying subreddit to discuss the condition of a co-worker’s tire.

“I left a note under my coworker’s windshield telling them about the condition of the right front passenger tire and they continued driving with it,” the text read. publish.

The Volkswagen’s tire was low on tread and therefore wouldn’t be much help in a storm, but that wasn’t the main problem.

Looking at the sidewall, a large bubble protruded just above the edge of the rim.

Bubbles in the tire are extremely dangerous because they mean there are some things that could have happened that the driver possibly didn’t notice.

First, the tire may have accidentally been overinflated.

This can happen if a digital tire pressure tool is not reset before it is connected to the valve.

If not reset, it may not recalibrate and may list pressure incorrectly – leading to overinflation.

Excessive pressure can cause blisters when the pressure is so high that it distorts the tire.

An over-inflated tire is at extreme risk of blowing out, which, as many Redditors in the thread were keen to point out, can flip a moving car and harm the driver and those close to them.

“Fun fact: A front tire blowing out the sidewall at highway speeds is one of the few ways to flip a car,” wrote one reader.

Another way this tire could have been damaged is from a very violent collision with a curb or median.

If the collision is strong enough, it can “pinch” or cause tension in the rubber, causing distortion.

One Redditor described a blister in a tire as a “hernia.”

“There is a metal mesh inside the tire rubber to strengthen it, which is why your tires require a certain PSI of inflation for safety reasons,” wrote one Redditor, responding to a question about how blisters happen.

“If your wheel hits a rock, curb or speed bump, over time it can wear down the integrity of the mesh and the cohesion of the rubbers and effectively tear this mesh, causing a ‘hernia’ in the tire.”

The car should be considered inoperable until the tire is replaced. Not only are they putting themselves at risk, but they are also putting everyone they drive with at risk. Going through a difficult time is not an excuse to put other people at risk.

Editor

The original poster expressed frustration with the driver for not taking proper precautions by replacing the tire immediately.

Some supportive users offered the perspective of their coworker possibly going through a difficult time.

Others think it’s not a valid excuse to put other drivers at risk.

“This is irrelevant,” wrote one user.

“The car should be considered inoperable until the tire is replaced. Not only are they putting themselves at risk, they are also putting everyone they drive with at risk. Going through a difficult time is not an excuse to put other people at risk .”

Examining the condition of the tires

As a driver, it is important to be able to identify potentially dangerous tire problems and know how to identify precursors. Here’s what to look for:

1. Regularly examine the tire tread depth. It’s a great way to understand how much life there is in a tire before it needs to be replaced. You can use a quarter or a dime to check the depth. If the President’s head can be fully seen, start saving for new tires.
2. Examine the sidewall for cracks or bubbles, especially after colliding with a curb or median. A blister may not appear immediately, so it’s important to keep an eye on it for a while before discarding it.
3. When inflating a tire with a digital pressure reader, always zero it before connecting it to the valve to ensure that previous data is erased.
4. Regularly balance your tires and rotate them at appropriate intervals, as tire inspections are part of the service.
5. Understand the warranty (if any) that comes with the tires. New tires are often warranted for certain types of damage, and this can help you replace a damaged tire for free or at a discount.
6. Learn how to read a tire’s sidewall. Even if the tread is within specifications, a tire can still be dangerous if it is too old.

Source: Colombo Nissan

More Redditors wrote that Discount Tire will finance people with zero percent APR, giving more drivers the chance to get new tires.

Some tire stores mentioned will sell used tires at a low cost to help drivers get back on the road with a safer tire until they can replace it.

Several other Redditors commented on their personal near-death experiences driving with a tire they knew was in poor condition but neglected to fix.

As for leaving more notes about the car, the Redditor indicated in the comment that he’s not sure it’s worth the effort after ignoring the first warning.

“It’s not your job to be their guardian angel because they clearly already have one,” one user wrote in response.