If you're a vehicle owner, maintaining your rims and tires should be a top priority. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration surveys, tire failure is one of the leading causes of car accidents, with 35% of mechanical failure crashes involving wheel-related issues. Read on to discover more about the common issues that could affect your vehicle's rims and tires.

Improperly Inflated Tires

Unfortunately, your wheels may not work as intended if they are improperly inflated. Both over and under-inflation can be problematic. Overinflating your tires is not a good idea, as it reduces traction. Meanwhile, underinflated tires are harder to control and more susceptible to damage.

You can check your vehicle's ideal tire pressure by reading the manual. Once you know the ideal pressure level, you can use a tire pressure gauge to see if the inflation level is where it needs to be. Alternatively, you can also take your car to an auto shop for a quick check-up.

Scratched or Cracked Rims

Scratched rims are often the byproducts of unfortunate encounters with potholes. Your car hits the pothole at an odd angle and one of your rims bears the brunt of the damage. A scratched rim may not greatly impact your vehicle's performance, but it's an unpleasant sight nonetheless.

To fix a scratched rim, professionals first have to sand down the damaged area and rinse it off. After that, they'll fill the scratch in and sand it down again. From there, they'll be able to prime and paint the formerly damaged rim to restore its appearance.

Cracked rims are among the worst outcomes of driving over potholes. Welding the metal together may allow you to salvage your cracked rims, but you should consider paying for replacement if they're on the older side anyway. Exercising more caution when approaching potholes may also help prevent this issue from popping up again.

Worn Down Tires

Rims and tires may sometimes suffer from the out-of-sight, out-of-mind problem. Because it's easy to overlook your tires, you may not notice that they're already pretty worn down. Worn-down tires can be dangerous because they can negatively affect your vehicle's braking capabilities.

Regularly check your tires if you want to avoid this issue. You should also consider replacing your tires as the quality decreases. That's where your local tire store comes in. The professionals are able to repair or replace your tires in a timely manner.

Your rims and tires can suffer from numerous issues when you're out on the road. Thankfully, you can take precautionary measures to adequately protect them. Contact our team at Pro Custom & Tire to learn more about protecting your vehicle!