One minute the roads are dry. Next, you're driving through an Atlanta downpour.

And when the roads get wet, your tires suddenly have a much bigger job to do.

Most of us don't think much about our tires until they're obviously worn, the tire pressure light comes on, or something starts feeling different behind the wheel. But a tire doesn't have to look bald to perform differently on a wet road.

So, let's talk about tires + water and why a little attention to those four patches of rubber can make a big difference.

What Happens When Tires Meet Water?

Take a close look at your tires and you'll see grooves running through the tread.

Those grooves aren't just part of the tire's design. They're there to help move water away from underneath the tire so the rubber can maintain contact with the road.

As tread wears down, the tire has less ability to channel water away.

Add enough water and speed to the equation, and your tires can begin to lose contact with the pavement.

That's where hydroplaning comes in.

What Is Hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water gets between your tires and the road.

Instead of the tire maintaining solid contact with the pavement, it begins riding across the water. When that happens, steering and braking response can decrease quickly.

Standing water and speed play a role, but so does the condition of your tires.

Good wet-weather driving starts with slowing down and giving yourself more room. But having tires with adequate tread and proper inflation gives them a better opportunity to do the job they were designed to do.

Your Tires Don't Have to Be Bald to Need Attention

This is an important one.

A tire can still have visible tread and have a problem worth addressing.

We look for things like:

• Low tread depth
• Uneven tread wear
• Improper tire pressure
• Cracking or deterioration
• Bulges, cuts or other damage
• Excessive wear along the inside or outside edge

Uneven wear can be particularly easy to miss because the part of the tire you can see while standing next to the vehicle isn't necessarily the part experiencing the most wear.

Tire Pressure Matters Too

Your tire pressure affects how the tire contacts the road.

And as temperatures change, tire pressure can change along with them.

Your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS, is a helpful warning system, but there's no reason to wait for a warning light before checking your tires.

Periodically checking the pressure in all four tires is a simple habit that can help with tire wear, vehicle handling and overall tire performance.

What Does Wheel Alignment Have to Do With Your Tires?

Quite a bit.

When your wheels aren't properly aligned, your tires may not wear evenly.

You might notice the vehicle pulling to one side or a steering wheel that doesn't sit straight when you're traveling down a level road.

But sometimes the first clue is simply an unusual tire wear pattern.

If one portion of the tire is wearing faster than the rest, you're losing useful tread in that area. That's something you especially don't want to discover for the first time on a wet road.

An alignment inspection can help determine whether the wheels are properly positioned and whether something else may be contributing to the wear.

Don't Forget About Tire Rotation

Your four tires don't necessarily wear at exactly the same rate.

The front and rear tires perform different jobs, and drivetrain configuration, driving habits and vehicle design can all influence how they wear.

Regular tire rotations help promote more even wear across the set.

They also give us another opportunity to get a good look at each tire.

Sometimes that's when we spot the beginning of an unusual wear pattern, damage or another issue you wouldn't necessarily see yourself.

Catching something early is usually a whole lot nicer than discovering it on the side of I-285.

Before Your Next Rainy Drive, Take a Look

You don't need to become a tire expert.

But there are a few things worth keeping an eye on:

Check the tread.
Does it look low or uneven?

Check your tire pressure.
Are all four tires properly inflated?

Look at the sidewalls.
Cracks, cuts, bulges or other visible damage deserve attention.

Pay attention to how your vehicle drives.
Pulling, vibration or changes in handling shouldn't be ignored.

Think about tire age.
Mileage isn't the only factor affecting tire condition. Tires also age over time.

And if you look at your tires and think, I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at, that's okay too.

You don't have to be a tire expert. That's our job.

Tire Service in Chamblee, GA

At TLS Motorworks, we help drivers in Chamblee and the surrounding Atlanta area understand what's going on with their vehicles so they can make informed decisions about repairs and maintenance.

That includes your tires.

Our team can inspect tire condition and wear, check tire pressure, rotate and balance tires, perform wheel alignments and help determine when replacement is actually needed.

We specialize in Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Mazda, Nissan, Infiniti, Subaru, Kia and Hyundai vehicles, along with hybrid and EV service.

So if you've been looking at your tires and wondering, “Are these still okay?” bring your vehicle by and let us take a look.

Because the best time to find out your tires aren't ready for the rain probably isn't during the rain.

Experience the Difference.

TLS Motorworks
Chamblee, GA