See Any Flat Spots on Your Tyres? Here Are the Top Causes

Have you noticed any unusual vibrations while driving lately? If your typically smooth ride feels  naturally jittery, it might be a result of flat spots on one or more of your tyres. There are a couple  of reasons as for why your tyres have grown flat spots. 

Some of them are common, and others, not so much. Either way, there are specific symptoms to  look out for. If you suspect that your tyres might be at risk, you must look out for these symptoms.  Read on to learn what exactly tyre spotting is, its most common causes, and the best remedies for it. 

What is a tyre flat spot?  

Flat spotting on your tyres occur when a flat patch forms on the rubber of your tyre that makes  contact with the ground. This surface of your tyre is commonly referred to as the tyre’s ’contact  patch’. When your car is parked for an extended period, its weight and pressure put a load on all  four contact patches of your tyres. 

If your vehicle is frequently used, the contact patch changes every time the car is taken out.  However, if it remains parked in the same spot for a long time, the contact patch stays the same. As  a result, flat spots occur when the contact patch is the same. 

Flat spots on your tyre are considered to compromise its integrity. As a result, your tyres get worn  out unevenly. This is especially harmful if one area, in particular, gets worn out a lot more than the  rest. It’s at this stage that some noticeable symptoms show up. 

What are some common symptoms of flat spots on your tyre?  

Let’s take a look at what some of the most common flat spotting symptoms are for your tyres. 

Flat spots that are visible 

Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way. Flat spots aren’t always inconspicuous. Sometimes,  you’re able to clearly see that there’s a flat area on the contact patch of one or more of your tyres.  This is especially the case if your car has been idle for a long time. 

Having said that, flat spots on your tyre aren’t always visible. In such circumstances, you’re advised  to scrutinise the tyre treads. Have a look at all your tyres carefully and look out for unusual wear  patterns. 

However, this is obviously no easy feat. Unmounting tyres, placing them side-by-side, and  conducting an inspection can only be done by professionals at a garage. If you suspect that your  tyres may have flat spots, entrust your car with the tyre experts at Service My Car. 

Odd vibrations

Let’s move on to some of the more challenging symptoms. As stated earlier, it’s no easy feat to  examine your tyre treads individually. However, there are other means to figure out if you have flat  spots on your tyres. 

Next time you take your car for a spin, watch out for any strong vibrations. This is typically a  giveaway that you might have flat spots on your tyres. Depending on what speed you’re driving at,  you might feel that your tyres have an odd vibration. 

Either way, feeling solid vibrations while driving can point to several other issues too. If you suspect  any kind of vibration while driving, it’s best to get a professional opinion. Go for a full inspection at  Service My Car so you can ascertain what issues exist in your car. 

Intense thumping sensation or sounds 

Another symptom, in particular, is sensing or hearing thumps while you drive. As the flat spot of  your tyre makes contact with the road, it emanates a rhythmic thumping sound. 

However, like we mentioned earlier about feeling vibrations, thumping can be attributed to a  plethora of car issues. If you hear any thumping while driving, get your tyres inspected with a  reputed car maintenance solution like Service My Car. 

Facing difficulty while steering 

This is a symptom that demonstrates the dangers of ignoring flat spots on your tyres. As the flat  spotting of your tyres is prolonged, it results in your tyres being imbalanced. This has a direct effect  on your steering capabilities. 

When you drive with tyres that have flat spots, you might notice that steering your car gets more  difficult. If you feel this way, especially at higher driving speeds, then you need to get your wheels  aligned and your tyres balanced. Look no further than Service My Car for all your tyre needs. 

What are the most common reasons for tyre flat spotting? 

Now that we’re aware of the most common symptoms, let’s look at the most common reasons for  flat spotting. 

The most common reason - parking for too long 

As we’ve already covered multiple times here, this is the most common reason. Long-term parking is  never good for your car, with your tyres taking the highest toll. 

If you’re wondering how long a car can be parked before the tyres start developing flat spots, the  answer might be a surprise. Most automotive research hints towards as little as one month. That  means you can leave your car idle for a maximum of one month before its tyres start developing flat  spots. 

Another reason - aggressive and sudden braking

Automotive research has also shown that aggressive or sudden braking also has a hand in causing  flat spots to develop on your tyres. This occurs when your brakes cause the tyres to skid across the  pavement. 

As a result, the friction caused by skidding can prematurely wear out the tyre treads. Frequently  deploying hard or sudden brakes can increase the impact of the damage. 

How to prevent your tyres from developing flat spots?  

Preventive and predictive maintenance is the best way to go when it comes to taking care of your  car. If you intend to store your vehicle for a long time, it’s best to take the following flat spot  preventive measures: 

• Inflate your tyres to manufacturer-recommended levels and check the air pressure once a  month 

• Make arrangements to move your car every couple of weeks if you intend to store it for  months 

• Take the weight off of the tyres by putting the vehicle on blocks or jack stands 

What to do if you notice flat spotting on your tyres?  

Now that you’ve read this far, you know that flat spots not only compromise your tyres, but your  safety too. If you’ve spotted some pesky flat spots in your , it’s best to get a professional to look at them. 

If you’re looking for your tyres service or If you’re searching for car workshop near me. So you can book an appointment for your car service at Service My Car. We’ll identify if your tyres  have flat spots, or any other service required for your car. You’ll also get a few nifty recommendations along the way to  help you make the right repair decisions for your car.