What to Do When Your Tires Are Damaged

What to Do When Your Tires Are Damaged

Any tire may fail as a result of an improperly repaired puncture, impact damage, improper inflation, overloading or other conditions resulting from use or misuse. Tire failures, such as a rapid air loss or a tread and belt detachment, may increase risk of injury or death and/or property damage. To reduce the risk of a tire failure, Nokian Tyres recommends you thoroughly read and follow the recommendations provided by your Nokian Tyres dealer, vehicle owner’s manual, tire placard information, and tire sidewall information regarding safety warnings, proper tire use and maintenance. 

Read more about tire construction 

Controlling a vehicle when a tire failure occurs

If a tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, and/or the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed tire. If possible, step on the accelerator momentarily to maintain forward momentum and ensure vehicle control.
 
It is most important that you DO NOT BRAKE OR ABRUPTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly while steering to remain in your lane. Once the vehicle has slowed and is fully under control, apply the brakes gently; safely pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop. Inspect the tires. If one or more looks flat or low, shows detachment or other damage, remove tire assembly and replace it with a properly inflated spare. Bumps or bulges may indicate detachment within the tire body and require inspection by a qualified tire technician.
 
The danger of hydroplaning can be felt in the steering: it is difficult to control the car, especially if the tires are in poor condition or worn out. The best way to prevent hydroplaning is to use new tires. Even new tires do not completely eliminate the risk of hydroplaning, but it is possible to control the car as long as you adjust the driving speed to the conditions.
 
There is a similar risk when there is slush on the road. Any time there is slush on the road, reduce speed to a level where you can control car in all situations.
 
Proper tread and tire pressure are vital to the functionality of tires. When tires wear out, the tires’ wet grip and hydroplaning properties essentially deteriorate, and the risk of accidents increases. Tires lacking sufficient pressure make it difficult to control the car under extreme situations and allow for the steering to pull more to the side; insufficient tire pressure may even cause a blow-out.

HAZARDS

Objects in the road, such as potholes, glass, metal, rocks, wood, debris and the like, can damage a tire and should be safely avoided. Unavoidable contact with such objects should prompt a thorough tire inspection.
 
Anytime you see any damage to your tires or wheels, replace with the spare at once and immediately visit any Nokian Tyres retailer.

IMPACT DAMAGE

A tire impacted by a road hazard (curb, pothole, debris) may be damaged but not have visible signs of damage on its surface. A tire damaged by an impact may sustain a sudden failure a day, week, or even months later. You may not recall hitting an object that damaged or injured your tires. Air loss, unusual tire wear, localized wear or vibrations can also be signs of internal tire damage.
 
If you suspect any damage to your tire or wheel from an impact with a curb, pothole, debris on the road or any other road hazard, or if you feel or hear any unusual vibration, replace with a properly inflated spare at once and immediately visit any qualified tire technician.

USED TYRES

Never purchase used tires! Previous usage may have damaged internal components. This damage may lead to sudden tire failure.
 
NOKIAN TYRES  DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY STEMMING FROM THE USE OF A USED TIRE FOR LOSS OF TIME, OR USE, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
 
REMEMBER : 

TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT: 

  • CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH WHEN TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE LONG TRIPS
  • DO NOT UNDERINFLATE/OVERINFLATE
  • DO NOT OVERLOAD
  • DRIVE AT MODERATE SPEEDS, OBSERVE LEGAL LIMITS
  • AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR EDGES OF PAVEMENT
  • AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING
  • IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE WITH THE SPARE AND VISIT ANY NOKIAN TYRES RETAILER AT ONCE
  • IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT YOUR NOKIAN TYRES RETAILER

 
FAILURE TO OBSERVE ANY OF THE RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAN LEAD TO ERRATIC VEHICLE BEHAVIOR AND/OR TIRE DAMAGE.