What to Do When Smoke Starts Coming From Your Tire While Driving
Picture this: You’re driving down the road headed toward Miscellany Trivia Night in downtown Louisville when suddenly you notice smoke coming from your tire. And while this can be an alarming, unusual occurrence, it’s also a clear sign of a problem that requires immediate attention. So, in this blog, the experts at Meineke in Louisville explore what might cause smoking tires, and what steps you should take to stay safe and resolve the situation.
Common Causes of Smoking Tires
- Stuck Brake Caliper A stuck or seized brake caliper can cause excessive friction. And this can lead to overheating of the brake components. So, when the heat expands, this can cause the tire or nearby materials to start smoking. Also, you might notice a burning smell or that the vehicle pulls to one side while driving.
- Dragging Emergency Brake If the emergency brake is accidentally left engaged, it can create significant friction as you drive. And this can generate heat and cause smoke. (This is more common in vehicles with manual emergency brakes).
- Overheating Tires Driving on underinflated or overloaded tires can lead to excessive heat buildup. And this can potentially cause the tire to overheat and smoke. Also, this is especially common during long drives or in hot weather.
- Debris or Fluids on the Tire If oil, grease, or other flammable substances have spilled onto your tire or wheel assembly, it can smoke when heated. And this could happen if a nearby fluid line is leaking or if you’ve driven through a contaminated area.
- Wheel Bearing Failure A failing wheel bearing can generate intense heat due to friction. And this heat can transfer to the wheel and tire, leading to smoke or even tire damage if left unchecked.
- Tire Damage A severely damaged or delaminating tire can create friction with the road or nearby parts of the vehicle. And this can potentially lead to smoke and even a blowout.
What You Should Do
- Pull Over Immediately As soon as it’s safe, pull over to the side of the road. Because continuing to drive with a smoking tire can escalate the issue and potentially lead to a fire or loss of control.
- Turn Off the Vehicle Turning off the engine can help cool down the affected area and prevent further damage.
- Inspect the Tire and Surrounding Area Once it’s safe, carefully inspect the smoking tire, looking for:
- A stuck brake or signs of overheating.
- A loose or dragging emergency brake.
- Damage to the tire or wheel.
- Fluid leaks or debris stuck to the tire.
Use caution, as parts may still be hot.
- Call for Assistance If you’re unable to identify or resolve the issue, call Meineke in Louisville and roadside assistance to have your vehicle towed to Meineke on Dixie Highway in Louisville. Because driving with a smoking tire is dangerous and can lead to more significant damage.
- Do Not Attempt to Drive Until Resolved Even if the smoke subsides, driving without addressing the root cause is unsafe. So, have the ASE certified professionals at Meineke in Louisville inspect and repair the issue.
How to Prevent Smoking Tires
- Regular Maintenance: Keep your brakes, tires, and wheel bearings in good condition.
- Check Tire Pressure: Maintain proper tire pressure to prevent overheating and smoking tires.
- Inspect Emergency Brakes: Make sure your emergency brake is fully released before driving.
- Be Mindful of Loads: Avoid overloading your vehicle, as this puts extra strain on your tires.
- Routine Inspections: Check for leaks, tire damage, or wear during routine maintenance.
Smoking Tires are a Warning Sign You Should Never Ignore
Acting quickly and pulling over can prevent further damage or dangerous situations when you encounter smoking tires. Also, regular vehicle maintenance and awareness of potential issues can reduce the likelihood of encountering this problem on the road. So, stay vigilant, stay safe, and keep your vehicle in top condition. But, if you do run into this situation, Meineke on Dixie Highway in Louisville is here to help.
If the Meineke on Dixie Highway in Louisville is not a convenient auto repair center for you, Meineke has 15 car repair centers is Kentucky:
Meineke Car Care – Dixie Hwy.
5326 DIXIE HWY
Louisville, KY 40216
Call (844) 311-4548
Meineke Car Care – Preston Hwy.
7103 Preston Highway
Louisville, KY 40219
Call (844) 605-8457
Meineke Car Care – Bardstown Rd.
4170 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40218
Call (844) 321-3541
Meineke Car Care – East. Broadway
701 East Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
Call (855) 973-7820
Meineke Car Care – Outer Loop
6420 Outer Loop
Louisville, KY 40228
Call (844) 417-2336
Meineke Car Care – Shelbyville Rd.
11514 Shelbyville Road
Louisville, KY 40243
Call (844) 352-0216
Meineke Car Care – Dupont Rd.
1019 Dupont Road
Louisville, KY 40207
Call (502) 791-9526
Meineke Car Care – Plantside Dr.
10723 Plantside Drive
Louisville, KY 40299
Call (502) 536-9765
Meineke Car Care – So. Dixie Blvd.
2197 South Dixie Blvd.
Radcliff, KY 40160
Call (866) 548-1474
Meineke Car Care – Shelbyville Rd.
3949 Shelbyville Rd
St. Matthews, KY 40207
Call (888) 633-4889
Meineke Car Care – N. Dixie Hwy.
1400 N. Dixie Hwy.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Call (877) 439-7844
Meineke Car Care – Midland Trail
2000 Midland Trail
Shelbyville, KY 40065
Call (844) 681-4659
Meineke Car Care – W. Hwy. 146
3717 KY-146
Buckner, KY 40010
Call (844) 353-6212
Meineke Car Care – Peachtree Rd.
100 Peachtree Road
Nicholasville, KY 40356
Call (859) 687-8290
Meineke Car Care – Arrowhead Ct.
101 Arrowhead Court
Frankfort, KY 40601
Call (833) 723-5010
Meineke Car Care in Louisville, KY
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