Do speed humps cause tyre damage?

When driving over speed cushions I note that most cars just drive straight over, hardly slowing down at all. However, this often means the inside of both tyres ride over the sides of the cushions. I thought that this can be bad for the car's tracking or wheel alignment?

I usually try to drive just one side over the cushion, other side flat on the road. Is what I'm doing unnecessarily cautious, or would you recommend only one side over the cushions?

Asked on 23 March 2016 by MikeE

Answered by Honest John

You are doing the right thing. Drivers who straddle these things cause serious abrasion to the inner shoulders of their tyres that can lead to blowouts and because the damage is to the inner shoulders it is not seen.

Tags: speed humps wheels and tyres

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