DriveSmart
Print this Email this diggDigg this! del.icio.us
road gator

Starting in mid-May, those who drive Sunbelt roads begin seeing the occasional 18-wheeler truck tire tread lying beside or on the highway. Some call them "road gators." We presume that's because they'll take a bite out of your car if you run over one. Hit a road gator that's lying on its side and it'll slice open the engine or transmission oil pan, rip off a brake or fuel line or snap off a suspension component.

Gator Season
tire blowout

By June and July, the phenomenon creeps northward. In mid-summer, you can find road gators as far north as Interstate 70 or 80. In the Deep South, August is prime road gator birthin' month. Last August, on one the hottest days in Mississippi history, U.S. 78 (which will soon be renamed Interstate 22) was bordered by literally thousands of truck tire treads.


The damage from these "sleeping" highway gators is minor compared to what a gator can do while it's being born. A tread in the process of leaving the tire is a heavy, steel-reinforced band that can easily slice through a nearby vehicle: Another good reason to never cruise alongside a big rig.


If you hear an 18-wheeler tire making a regular whap-whap-whap sound, that's the pre-birth cry of a highway gator. It may take a few minutes or a few days, but a new gator is about to enter the world. They're born full sized and angry.

Behind the Breed
Many mistakenly think that most, if not all, highway gators are failed retreads. My unscientific, but regular studies say that almost none are retreads. Instead, they're what tire engineers call "tread separations." The tire's steel and nylon belts—along with the tread—have broken free of the tire's body or "carcass." Here's how to tell: If the road gator's ends shows frayed steel or fabric, it's a tread separation, not a failed retread.

Continued on Page 2

Copyright autoMedia.com 2000-2008

 
Related Photos More Photos...
car fire

road trip safety
summer snow tires
classic volvo
fuel gauge


Related Articles
Off-Road Driving & Safety Tips
Not Guilty!
Aging Driver Safety
Throwaway Road Trip
Fuel Gauge Lies


autoMedia Car Blog
Saleen Celebrates Anniversary, Other Saleen Launches Racecraft
Yes, it is confusing. Steve Saleen is celebrating 25 years in the business with an anniversary gift for himself, a 720-horsepower SMS Mustang concept ... more...

New Government Crash Test, Safety Data for 2010
Beginning with model year 2010, window stickers will feature an overall safety rating that combines results from government frontal, side, and rollove ... more...

How to Hypermile Safely, Effectively
When basic gas-saving tips are not enough to curb your commuter’s thirst for petrol, it is time to advance to hypermiling. There are sites dedicated t ... more...


Forum Highlights
Re: 2000 Ranger front brake pads and rotors
They are both right, however I havent heard anyone indicating the importance of safety here, even your life or others sharing the road with your vehic ... more...

Re: Why is my car overheating?
My guess is what you're experiencing is every rubber part in the car dying at once. Have you ever changed the radiator hoses? Heater hoses? Another g ... more...

Re: engine smoke
  How big was the overhaul? Could be poorly installed rings. Did the guy hone the bore? Did he replace the valve guides? I'd take it back to h ... more...


Car Buying Guide

QUICK SEARCH:


Specs, prices, photos & more
SEARCH BY BODY STYLE:
FREE New Car Price Quote
Get the best price - it's easy!

Used Car Buying Guide


2000-2008 autoMedia.com Inc. All Rights Reserved.