Tire Tread

A tire's tread refers to the grooved rubber that surrounds the tire's exterior. Its purpose is twofold—to displace water when driving on wet roads and to increase traction on loose surfaces. More specifically, the tread's deep grooves create a path for water and debris to move away from the front of the tire so that rubber is always in direct contact with the road's surface. Worn tires have a shallower tread depth and can therefore no longer effectively displace water.

Consequently, when the tire comes in contact with a wet surface, it will be riding on a thin layer of water and not the road. This can cause hydroplaning which is dangerous and can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle. At Lake Norman we recommend that you have your tires checked regularly and that they be replaced at the first sign of tread wear. To have your tires checked today, come by our service and repair center located in Mooresville, NC. Lake Norman's technicians are here to make sure your car's tires are gliding and not sliding!

Tire Tread Knowledge:

Tire Cupping

Not all tire wear is caused by a defect in the tires themselves. There are several other components of the vehicle that, when faulty, can result in premature tire damage. In particular, bent or worn suspension parts can cause tire cupping; a condition that looks like scalloped dips around the edges of the tread. Any worn component that connects the wheel to the body of the car-including bushings, shock absorbers, ball joints, and wheel bearings—could be the source of this issue.

To fix the problem, all worn components must be replaced, and the tire should be balanced or moved to a different area of the vehicle. If you notice any cupping on your tires, bring your car in immediately before the tire becomes too worn. Lake Norman's service and repair center is located in Mooresville, NC. Our technicians are ready to put their years of expertise and training to work on your suspension!

Tire Separation

A tire's tread refers to the grooved rubber that surrounds the tire's exterior and is attached to the wheel via steel belts. Its purpose is twofold—to displace water when driving on wet roads and to increase traction on loose surfaces. Occasionally, however, a tire's tread will become separated from the steel belts underneath, causing a bump to form in the tread and a thumping noise to occur. Tread separation is dangerous and should be fixed immediately by replacing the tire.

If one or more of your tires is showing signs of tread separation, bring it in as soon as possible. In the event that you have to replace your tires, we've provided you with a convenient tire finder below. Our technicians are ready to get your tires rolling smoothly, so call and make an appointment or stop by our service center, located in Mooresville, NC.