Introduction
Floodwater can cause hydroplaning, puncture damages, and tyre corrosion. If your vehicle was exposed to floodwater in Dubai, use this guide to assess the damage on your tyres and implement tyre care tips to protect your wheels.
How to Assess the Flood Damage On Your Tyres?
There are some recognizable signs that can help you assess the flood damage on your tyres. Use these steps to inspect the damage:
1. Conduct Visual Inspection
Start by thoroughly examining the tyres for any visible cracks, cuts, or unusual wear patterns in your tyres. This visual inspection can help you spot flood damage easily.
2. Check for Water Ingress
Water ingress occurs when flood water enters your tyres. Therefore, examine the valve stems and look for any signs of moisture around them. Fluctuating tire pressure could also be an indicator of water ingress.
3. Inspect The Sidewalls
Discoloration or soft spots on your tyre sidewall can also indicate floodwater damage. If you notice any bubbles or bulges around your tyre’s sidewall, it could indicate internal damage, and such tire should be replaced immediately.
4. Test Brake Functionality
To test brake functionality after a flood, conduct a brake pedal test to gauge pressure. Then, test drive at low speed, applying the brakes gently to assess any abnormal noises.
Once you have identified these floodwater damage signs on your tyres, you must take the necessary action to protect your wheels.
5 Tire Care Tips to Protect Tyres After a Flood in Dubai
Water damage can weaken the rubber, compromise tyre pressure, and even lead to irreparable damage. Here are seven tips to help you safeguard your tyres after a flood:
1. Clean The Tires Completely
After rescuing your car from the floodwater, clean your tyres thoroughly with a pressure washer or a strong hose to remove mud and debris from the tyre’s surface and treads.
Clean the area around the wheel, including the wheel arches and lug nuts. Once you are done cleaning your tyres, remove all soap and cleaning agents and dry your tyres to avoid rust and corrosion later.
2. Frequently Inspect the Tyre Pressure
Floodwater exposure can also cause fluctuations in your tyre pressure. Therefore, to protect your tyres from after-flood damage, inspect your tyre pressure frequently. Measure the reading and compare it with the recommended pressure.
If the pressure is too low, use an air compressor to increase it, and if it is high, release air through the valve system. If, despite practicing this, your tire pressure continues to fluctuate, consult an expert.
3. Check The Wheel Alignment
Floodwater can misalign your tyres, leading to premature tire wear. Therefore, it’s important to check your wheel alignment.
You can check your wheel alignment via service providers and technicians at a tyre store like Tire.ae. They will use specialized equipment to measure the wheel angles and adjust them to proper alignment.
4. Apply Protective Coating for Rust and Corrosion
Inspecting the metal parts of the wheels and surrounding areas is also important to protect your tyres from floodwater damage, as rust or corrosion can occur on such parts.
If you see any signs of corrosion on wheel rims, brake components, and suspension, clean it with a rust remover and apply a protective coating to prevent further corrosion.
5. Get Wheel Bearings and Suspension Checked
Floodwater can cause water ingress into wheel bearings, which can lead to potential safety risks later. Therefore, you must check your wheel bearings and suspensions for any signs of corrosion or damage.
To examine wheel bearings, lift and secure your car, then spin the wheels to check for unusual noise. Grinding or humming noises might indicate damaged bearings. Then examine suspension parts for rust, leaks, or damage to prevent any potential damage.
3 Preventive Measures for Future Tyre Damage
It is best to implement preventive measures beforehand to reduce tyre damage from floods in the future in UAE. Here are some steps you can implement:
1. Use Tyre Protectants
Tyre Protectants are chemical products designed to prevent tire damage from sun exposure, moisture, road debris, and other contaminants. To reduce the impact of both floodwater or Dubai’s extreme temperatures on your tyres, you can choose a tyre protectant.
2. Park On Higher Grounds
Low-lying areas are prone to collecting water during heavy rainfall or storms, leading to potential damage. Therefore, during heavier rains, always park your cars on elevated areas, away from flood-prone zones. This will reduce the risk of floodwater reaching your vehicle and its tyres.
3. Invest in High-Quality Tires
Most importantly, when choosing tyres, look for reputable brands and always invest in high-quality tires. Such tires are made with superior materials and are designed to withstand harsh conditions, reducing the risk of punctures or degradation.
FAQs
1. Should I repair or replace flood-damaged tires?
First, seek expert advice to assess your tyre damage. If the damage is too much, replace your tyres with quality tyres that can withstand extreme weather conditions without compromising performance.
2. What tyre components should I inspect after a flood in Dubai?
You must inspect your vehicle’s engine, brakes, suspension, and steering as well as your seats and airbags. You can also consult a professional service provider for the inspection of your tires in UAE.
3. Where can I change and buy tyres in Dubai after a flood?
You can visit Tire.ae site to replace and buy tyres for your car. They provide best tyre in UAE and you can also explore a wide range of premium quality tyres in Abu Dhabi.
Find Quality Tyres at Tire.ae To Safeguard Your Journeys
Premium-quality tyres are more resistant to damage as they feature advanced tread patterns that reduce hydroplaning and damage risks. Therefore, you must use top-tier tyres to safeguard your journey.
At Tire.ae, your own popular tyres dealer in Abu Dhabi, you can find top-notch quality tyres from reputable brands. This online tyre shop in Dubai is renowned for providing the best tyres in UAE that last longer and perform better in harsh weather conditions.
