Spring and Houston Auto Repair

When roads are wet, even small problems with your tires can affect how well your car stops. Many drivers assume that as long as the tires aren’t bald, they’re safe. But tread depth starts to affect braking performance long before the tire reaches the legal minimum. As tread wears down, it becomes harder for your tires to push water out of the way. That can lead to longer stopping distances, reduced grip, and a higher chance of hydroplaning. Your brakes may be in perfect condition, but if your tires can’t maintain traction, they won’t stop the vehicle as quickly as they should. What Tread Does in Wet Conditions Tread helps channel water away from the tire’s contact patch, which is the small area of rubber actually touching the pavement. When the grooves are deep enough, they allow the water to escape so the tire can stay in contact with the road. But when those grooves wear down, water has nowhere to go. It builds up under the tire and l ... read more