Flat spot on tire causing vibration occurs when a tire develops a flat, uneven area due to prolonged contact with the ground or hard braking. This flat area creates an imbalance, leading to vibrations that are typically felt in the steering wheel or the entire vehicle, especially at higher speeds.
Unwanted vibrations in your vehicle can be more than just a frustration. They can be symptoms of an issue that needs investigation. One common cause of these vibrational incidents, especially in higher speeds, is a flat spot on your tire. Not only do flat spots impact your driving comfort but they can also compromise your tires’ safety and longevity. Every driver needs to know what causes flat spots on tires, how to identify, prevent, and address those tire spots.
This guide will address the issue of flat spots on tires, the vibrations that they cause, and the most effective solutions to prevent and address such an issue.
Contents
What Is A Flat Spot On A Tire?
A flat spot on a tire is simply a region on the surface of the tire which has been “squashed” or otherwise flattened. This phenomenon is common on tires left in a position where the pressure (whether from the weight of the vehicle or the tire’s component itself) acts on the same region of the tire for prolonged durations. In these cases, it is quite common for a vehicle that has been kept stationary for a long duration (say few days or even weeks) to develop one or even multiple flat spots on the tires.
Concentrated weight (or pressure) at certain spots is the main component here. In one sense, the rubber in flat spots on tires loses their round cross-section which results in the tire “bouncing” or vibrating.
These altered periods of time where the tires deform may not always be obvious at a glance. In fact, it’s worth pointing out that negligence while driving or keeping the vehicle parked (even though these are very rare) is not the main driving force for the construction of flat spots, the rate of which is even influenced by weather conditions.
What Causes Flat Spots On Tires?
There are multiple reasons that can contribute to the making of flat spots on tires. Knowing the main reasons behind these imperfections can help you with flat spot tires in the future.
1. Long Parking
One of the main reasons why tires get flat spots is because of the tires being parked for too long. Whenever a vehicle is left sitting for a long time, especially in one position, the weight from the vehicle pushes the tires down, making them lose their shape. This is especially true for vehicles that are kept in storage for months at a time during the winter season.
Letting tires stay under a lot of pressure in the same position for a long time will cause the rubber tires to become flat. This is more apparent during the winter because the temperature is cold, causing the rubber in the tires to become stiff and rigid. An example of this would be vehicles that are parked during the winter season and not used for a long time, resulting in flat spots from not being used.
2. Hard Braking
Another common cause of flat spots is hard braking. When a driver slams on the brakes suddenly, the tires can lock up, causing them to skid along the road. This results in the tread being worn unevenly, and in some cases, it can leave behind a permanent flat spot. This issue is more prevalent in vehicles without anti-lock braking systems (ABS), as ABS helps prevent the tires from locking up during a hard stop.
When the tires are forced to slide, the friction between the tire and the road can cause one area of the tire to wear down much more quickly than others, resulting in an uneven tread surface and vibrations.
3. Low Air Pressure
Under-inflated tires are another significant contributor to the formation of flat spots. When tires are not inflated to their proper pressure, the tire’s contact area with the ground increases. This leads to the rubber being compressed more in certain spots, making those areas more susceptible to flat-spotting.
Tires that are under-inflated tend to wear unevenly, and the more pronounced the under-inflation, the more likely flat spots will form. It is crucial to check tire pressure regularly to ensure the vehicle is operating with optimal tire inflation levels.
4. Cold Weather Conditions
The flexibility of tires is important, however extreme temperatures can make it lose pliability and gain stiffness. The lack of pliability of rubber can contribute to flat spots on a tire, more so when the rubber is rigid and the tire is motionless. Cold weather and flat tires become a negative synergy as the low temperatures cause the tire and the air inside of it to become rigid and lose pressure.
When a vehicle is parked outside for a long time during extreme cold weather and remains motionless, it is more prone to developing a flat tire because of low temperatures that make the rubber stiff, in addition to low tire pressure. This is why it is crucial to check tire pressure during the months of winter. Whenever possible it is best to keep the tires in motion, or the car elevated on a jack.
How to Identify Flat Spots on Tires
Recognizing flat spots on a tire can save the tire from damage that can negatively impact a car’s performance. Several techniques can help in detecting flat spots poco a poco.
1. Feeling Vibrations When Driving
More serious vibrational impacts can be classified as flat spots, which is the most common and most noticeable symptom. At higher speeds, it becomes easier to notice plaintive vibrations. When the flat area of the tire comes along the road, it comes in contact with the surface of the road in a geometric ill-constructed surface area which creates vibrations that comes in contact throughout the vehicle.
Such vibrations in a vehicle, especially when the flat spots along the tire are serious, can be described as a bump or thumping sound.
2. Sound of Thumping
Flat spots on tires are oftentimes accompanied with the sound of thumping when driving. This rhythmic “bump-bump” sound occurs as the tires rotate and has a distinct pattern, primarily due to the contact of the tires along the surface of the road. This sound occurs due to the repeated impacts of the tire while the car is in motion.
3. Visual inspection of the tires
Visually inspecting tires can also show tell-tale sighs of flat spotting. Where flat spotting is present, the tread pattern will show excessive wear in some areas, while the rest will be just fine. Such areas will appear banded like and much smoother than the rest of the tire with less texture and bright, slick sheen.
If you notice any flat spotting, you ought to determine whether the problem exists on just one tire or all tires.
Solutions for flat spots on tires
In the event that you have detected unusual vibrations, there are some actionable measures that you can take to rectify uneven tires. Some of these will work to alleviate the problem, and others will mitigate the possibility of damage to the vehicle.
1. Drive the vehicle
In some situations, prolonged use of the vehicle is effective in alleviating mild flat spotting. As the tire moves and car is in motion, it heats up resulting in softening of the tire and changing its shape. This is only effective in very mild flat spotting and not in advaced cases.
If the flat spots are temporary, the tire can improve dynamically as it continues to rotate and smooth and heat up, optimizing its performance.
2. Tire Balancing
If the flat spot is minor, she can do a professional tire balancing to correct the tire’s performance. During balancing, special tools are used to reposition the tire and wheel assembly to spindle on the car such that the sub-plat ground flat spots are avoided for the smooth spindle running model on the vehicle.
If the driving experience is unbalanced, then the uneven flat spot drive issue is more foundational in the overall driving dynamics.
3. Tire Shaving
Specialized tools can remove small amounts of flattened tread on the tire surface from the spindle tire crowning. This will help eliminate the flat spot. Tire shaving works for minor flat spots but is permanent for more severe cases.
It is advisable to use specialists who understand the mechanics of a tire in order to maintain balanced wheels without wobbling, ensure no further damage is done to the tire, and tire tread is the safe limit.
4. Replace the Tire
If the vibrations along with the flat spot are severe, then replacing the tire might be the best option. Replacing the tire can be expensive, but it does not compromise the functionality and safety of the vehicle.
If the tire can no longer be repaired, it is better that the tire be driven with no more, as it can cause more damage, including a blowout. In such circumstances, it is better that the tire is replaced without delay.
How to Prevent Flat Spots on Tires
Preventing flat spots is better approach to maintain the functionality of the tires. Here are a few tips to avoid flat spots:
1. Drive More: One of better solutions to avoid flat tires is to maintain the vehicle moving. Frequent driving promotes tire rotation and prevents the tires from becoming flat. If you have a vehicle that is driven infrequently, moving the vehicle should be done more often to avoid flat tires.
2. Properly Adjust the Tire Pressure: Not maintaining the proper tire pressure or the suggested PSI value can cause ‘flat spotting’ or the development of flat spots. Under inflated tires will create flat spots due to the extra contact to the pavement. Properly inflated tires will evenly distribute weight on the tire’s contact surface. This will prevent unnecessary wear on the tire.
3. Ensure Proper Vehicle Storage: To minimize the weight on the tires, consider using a jack or tire cradles to raise the car above the ground. This is helpful if you don’t plan on using the car for a long time. In the alternative, if you plan on storing the car for several months, consider moving the car a little bit every few weeks, to change the position of the tires.
4. Reduce the Frequency of Sudden Stops: Flat spotting is a result of sudden and hard braking. To protect your tires and avoid unnecessary wear, drive gently and steer clear of slamming brakes; keeping tires from overheating will maintain the integrity of tire and rim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about flat spot on tire causing vibration –
1. Do flat spots on tires go away on their own?
In some situations, minor flat spots will go away with consistent driving. That is, the tires will warm up, and the rubber will be able to soften and become more pliant. With that being said, severe flat spots will almost always need to be looked at by a professional, and more often than not, will require a new tire altogether.
2. What steps do I need to take to make sure I do not get flat spots on my tires?
You will also need to make sure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. In addition, you will need to make sure the car is parked in a manner that if it will be stationary for a long time, proper flat spot prevention is maintained.
3. How do I check if my tire has a flat spot?
As a flat spot develops and grows more pronounced, the more it is associated with lost vibrations while driving. In addition, there are the more obvious sounds, such as a rhythmic thumping and worn tire tread that will all aid in the perception. Visually, passengers can look for tread that is uneven, as well as smooth patches on the tire.
4. Is it safe to drive with flat spots on tires?
It is not safe to drive a car with flat spots because it will cause vibrations and effect the overall handling of the vehicle. In addition, a flat spot that is minor will not pose an immediate danger, but it is always best to take steps to begin to address the problem in order to prevent further damage to the tire and the car as a whole.
5. Can tire balancing fix flat spots?
It is currently unknown if tire balancing can remove flat spots. Balancing a tire removes some of the vibrations caused by minor flat spots by redistributing the mass of the tire. It will not remove flat spots, though, and if the flat spots are advanced, a flat spot will likely not be removed.
Conclusion
Without negating the importance of vibration, flat spots can be detrimental to tire health. Attempted fixations can be a half-hearted measure and flat spots can lead to loss of control and negative vehicle performance. Missing an adjustment is one of the fundamentals to a safe and pleasant vehicle which will also benefit the tire.
Much like a the tire losing air, flat spots cannot be ignored and should be attended to before they become an issue. Prevention is vital and should be taken seriously. Routine checks of the vehicle are the primariy control measure needed. If they are left unattended to, the only changes will be tire replacements and service visits.
