Almost all drivers must have come across situations where they hit a bump in the road or a pothole. Suddenly, the car seems to sound and drive weirdly.
Are you worried about your damaged rims? Want to know everything related to bent rims? Read along to find out!
Is It Safe to Drive on A Slightly Bent Rim?
Most of the time, it’s safe to drive on a slightly bent rim, but don’t get too overconfident! If you suspect that your rim might be even a little out of shape, it’s advisable to stop somewhere safe and perform a manual check.
People have driven on vehicles with slightly bent rims. Most have had safe drives, while others have experienced severe troubles.
The thing is, it depends on how badly the rim is bent. If it’s minor, you don’t need to worry too much. But if your rim is bent ugly, you will probably need to get it replaced as soon as possible.
Forget about the embarrassment. You don’t want your tire to pop out in the middle of the road and cause an accident!
Is a Slightly Bent Rim Dangerous?
It usually depends on how significant the deformation is. Even a slight bent on your rim can be dangerous. Minor damage can cause leakage of air to your car tire; it could even pop out at any time while driving, and you can expect the worse case after that.
So if you’re asking whether a slightly bent rim is dangerous? Yes! It very much is, and expensive too!
How Long Can You Drive on A Slightly Bent Rim?
There is no clear-cut prediction regarding the distance covered by a vehicle with a bent rim. As mentioned above, it entirely depends on the seriousness of the damaged rim.
If your automobile rim has just been slightly bent, you can drive it safely for a good 6-8 months or even a year. However, that too depends on how smooth of a driver you are.
Besides that, if your rim seems to be bent worse than you imagined, you’ll know it immediately as your tire will start leaking air!
Can a Slightly Bent Rim Cause Vibration?
Yes! One of the signs of a slightly bent rim is the shakiness and vibration that come along with it.
With that being said, let’s not forget that the impact of a heavily vs. a slightly damaged one will differ. But in both cases, there will be vibration and wobbliness.
If you have recently replaced a tire in your vehicle, and it’s not fitted correctly, that might be it. Sometimes, the cause of vibration can be another reason too.
Does a Slightly Bent Rim Need to Be Replaced?
Suppose you are talking about a small bent, just a slight one, then a replacement might not be necessary. Many expert mechanics or professional tire experts can repair the damage and fix it in no time.
It’s always best to get a professional to check the damage before making any move.
However, if your rim is damaged to some extent and is not looking good, replacing the damaged rim seems to be the only safe way out for you.
If you ignore it and drive without any care, you will regret the day you meet with an accident because of your carelessness.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Slightly Bent Rim?
If it is just a little bent, then it’ll cost you no more than around $200. However, charges may vary according to the shop or mechanic you want to get it fixed by.
But if the damage is more than just slight, the cost will be higher.
The case is different if your rim is badly damaged and needs replacing. On average, it’ll cost you not less than $200, depending on the type of rim you need.
Repairing a damaged rim won’t cost you much, but ignoring it and driving without care will cost you heavily later.
Conclusion
If you come across a bumpy road and hear a thud from your car, check immediately where the damage is.
If your rim seems to be bent slightly (which is not noticeable from a distance), you can continue driving, but get it checked by an expert as soon as you reach your destination. You never know what will happen in your next drive.
The best advice will be to call a mechanic or an expert on the spot. He will look into the situation and give you the most comprehensive advice.
If you drive blindly without checking why the automobile is vibrating, you will end up with a flat tire or even meet with an accident if the rim is that damaged.
Many people happen to ignore the maintenance of rims. It’s true! But they don’t know that well-maintained rims can prevent them from an accident. Next time, double-check your rims!
