| Flat spots caused by storage or handling |
| The terms flat area and flats are also used for the term flat spot. |
| Flat spots resulting from storage or handling also cause irregular running in the same way as incorrectly balanced wheels do. It is important that flat spots on the tread are identified as such. |
| Flattening cannot be balanced. It may reappear for different reasons at any moment. Complex tools are not necessary to remove flattening, except in the case of flattening due to sudden breaking → Chapter. |
Note | Flat spots caused by hard braking cannot be repaired. Such tyres must be renewed. |
| Reasons for flat spots caused by storage or handling: |
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| The vehicle has been left standing in one place without being moved for several weeks. |
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| The tyre inflation pressure is too low. |
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| The vehicle was placed in a paint shop drying booth after painting. |
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| The vehicle was parked with warm tyres in a cool garage or similar for a long period of time. In this case, a flat spot may even occur overnight. |
| Eliminating flat spots caused by storage or handling |
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| Flat spots caused by storage or handling cannot be eliminated from the tyre using workshop equipment. |
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| The flat spots can only be removed by running the tyres warm. |
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| The method described below is not recommended in cold and wintry weather. |
| Requirements and conditions: |
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| Check and, if necessary, correct inflation pressures. |
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| If possible, drive the vehicle along the motorway. |
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| Traffic and road conditions permitting, drive a 20 to 30 kilometre stretch at a speed of 120 to 150 km/h. |
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| Do not put your life or that of other drivers at risk. |
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| Observe the highway code and the speed limits during the test drive. |
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| Jack up the vehicle immediately after the trip. |
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| Balancing wheels on stationary wheel balancer → Chapter. |
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