But as with any vehicle components, tires are not immune to damage. And there are damages that are beyond repair. One such damage is within the tire sidewall in a form of bulge, cuts or chipped off rubber. So it begs the question, “how much sidewall tire damage is too much?”
To determine how much sidewall tire damage is too much you need to check the threads in the area of damage. If you can see the threads or the radial cords, it’s time to replace the tire. These threads are located 0.125 to 0.188 of an inch beneath the surface of the sidewall.
What's In This Guide?
Any relevant issues or deficiencies you encounter within the sidewall of your tires, may it be on the inner or outer side of the wall can be considered as sidewall damage. This is a very serious concern and can lead to a complete tire failure. Having said that, tire replacement is the most sound decision you could ever take to address this issue.
Since sidewall tire damage is any irregularities found within the walls of the tires, it can be categorized from minor cuts and abrasions, bulging or bubbles, to more severe cases of missing huge chunks of rubber.
Missing huge chunks of rubberThese are portions within the sidewall of the tire that has been chipped off from the tire. Also, it is most likely that the inner cords that hold the structure of the tire are already exposed.
Deep and big abrasionsAbrasions caused by hitting a curb or running on a deep pothole will vary their size depending on the impact. These can range from a slash-like appearance or rough scapes to some extent. However, regardless of the size, these abrasions should not be left unnoticed.
A sidewall bubble is a bulge protruding on the side of the tire caused by high-impact damage such as hitting a pothole, running into a curb, or driving too fast over speed bumps. Like any other sidewall tire damage mentioned, you shouldn’t ignore it since it can also cause a blowout.
Causes of Sidewall Tire DamageSidewall tire damage can be obtained by one or more factors brought by the driver’s negligence to the quality of the tires. These factors are not limited to the tire age, factory defects and poor quality checks, overloading, under-inflation, and tire wear.
Tire AgeTires are built to withstand rough road conditions and certain load limits. However, their elasticity, strength, and durability don’t last forever. The majority of tire manufacturers declare an 8 to 10 years lifespan from the manufacture date.
After such, the rubber components will become brittle and dry, the inner plies that hold them together weaken, and eventually, their parts will start to fall apart.
Whatever the type you’re using, or regardless of your frequency using it, tires deflate by themselves even in normal conditions. That is why a regular air pressure check is essential for your safety and tires’ longevity.
The case of under-inflation can be attributed to the driver’s negligence to regularly check air pressure. Under-inflated tires result in tread and sidewall flexing more due to not having enough air pressure to carry the vehicle load. This puts too much stress on the sidewall that eventually leads to breakage and damage.
Factory defectsThere will be cases more prevalent on lower quality tires wherein they skimp on important tests before rolling off the factory. One of the classic examples is regarding the speed rating. Skipping the process of thorough checking for the proper speed rating, these poorly rated tires have the tendency to overheat and affect the sidewall integrity during sustained high speeds.
OverloadingOverloading your vehicle beyond its prescribed limit puts too much stress on your suspension system and ultimately on your tires.
Too much weight causes them to flatten, or even explode as air pressure builds up on the sidewall plus the heat generated by friction while moving. Not to mention, overloading is also one of the culprits of compromised handling as this prompts the vehicle to wobble or wiggle from side to side of the road.
Tires that have significant wear on them are more likely to overheat faster than normal, and this overheating can result in a blowout. Additionally, the worst thing that could happen is when the reinforcement that maintains the shape of the tires was already showing up at the sidewall, and accidental hitting to the curb will definitely end up with a damaged sidewall.
Can I Still Drive with a Sidewall Tire Damage?If you notice that your tire has any sign of sidewall damage, you should have it replaced right away! Throw in that spare tire sitting on your trunk and proceed to the nearest tire shop to purchase a new one.
You might want to consider calling for roadside assistance if you have concerns with your spare.
You may argue, “It still seems sturdy enough, why need to be in a hurry?”. Just because you can still drive with it doesn’t mean you should. Remember, safety is a priority the moment you turn on the ignition. Sidewall tire damage could cause a blowout at any second and can put you and everyone on the road in a dangerous situation.
Can a Tire with Sidewall Damage be Repaired?Whether the damage is just a shallow scrape, a bulge, or a chipped-off part of the sidewall, you should not attempt to repair sidewall damage as these are beyond repair. Also, don’t ever think of bringing them to any tire technician as there is an unwritten rule in the industry not to repair, patch, or plug any damage that occurred within the tire sidewall.
How to Avoid Sidewall Tire DamageYou can reduce the likelihood of having your tire’s sidewall end up with damage by following the basic instructions. These include regular checking of air pressure at least once a month, avoiding road hazards, only driving with recommended load limit and speed rating, and lastly, having them checked by tire experts should you feel something is not right with your tires.
You should have them check at least once a month or if you see any visual cues that they may be deflated. Additionally, you should conduct a cold tire pressure reading since the air pressure varies with temperature changes.
A good practice is to always have a tire pressure gauge paired with a portable inflator that can be powered by your vehicle’s power outlet. These tools don’t take up too much space and can even be stored along with your basic repair tool kit.
Match the vehicle load and speed ratings to the vehicle’s recommendationsIt is essential that you also know the basics of tire information reading. The code embossed on your tires does not only mention the size itself, it also indicates the speed rating recommendation. Additionally, the tire information sticker on your vehicle door frame clearly states the load limit with the recommended tire air pressure in psi.
Avoid road hazardsIt is best to plan your route ahead of time.
Steer away from areas with ongoing road rehabilitation or repair since these are home to a lot of construction debris such as nails and other pointed metals, as well as sharp stones that may cause abrasions in the sidewall of your tires.
Also, take a look ahead for potholes, and be careful when maneuvering near a curb not to draw too close or you’ll scratch your tire’s sidewall.
Have your tires checked by expertsTire technicians and experts have a wide experience dealing with such concerns over the course of their expertise. They may also look for other concerns on your tires that you may miss on inspecting.
Final thoughtsSidewall tire damage should not be treated the same way we fix punctures within the tread via patch and plugs. If you see that the sidewall damage already exposes the threads or cords of your tire, it is time to replace them at all costs.
Tires can become damaged for a variety of reasons, and it can happen without the driver being immediately aware there's a problem.
The most common types of damage are punctures, cuts, impacts, cracks, bulges and irregular wear. In this section, we'll explain the signs and symptoms to help you diagnose the issue, plus some useful tips on how to prevent them.
There are several types of irregular wear, the most typical variations being heel and toe wear, one-sided wear, and center wear. Here we explain how and why they occur.
a. Heel and toe wear
Heel and toe wear is a pattern caused by normal usage and suspension settings. It's the outwardly visible (and audible) manifestation of various distortional forces at work on the tread. To explain further, let's dive a little deeper into the design of the tread.
Tread grooves and sipes are essential in ensuring safety on wet and flooded roads. Particularly with low-profile tires, a higher percentage of tread void is necessary to take up the water and to improve protection against aquaplaning.
Cross-grooves for water drainage take the form of freestanding blocks in the shoulder area. These shoulder blocks can wear into a heel and toe pattern as a result of rolling mechanisms under certain operating conditions.
These operating conditions include:
While the tire is rolling along the road, the freestanding blocks deform as they approach the contact patch of the tire, and they're compressed as they touch the tarmac. After they lose road contact, however, the blocks will snap back into their original shape, rubbing the surface as they do so. The result is a wear pattern on the block run-out edge, and it's more likely to appear on non-driven wheel positions.
A minor amount of heel and toe pattern wear is reasonable and has no discernible effects on driving comfort. But if the wear is more extensive, more specific issues may be at fault.
These can range from improper inflation, excessive toe-in, and low-wear applications.
b. Center wear
You can find this wear pattern on the driven wheels of highly motorized cars. During energetic acceleration, in stop-start urban traffic, or when accelerating away from traffic lights, these high torque levels can quickly increase wear of the tread center. Even today’s mid-range vehicles have modern engines which can generate high levels of torque and are capable of producing high degrees of slip.
c. One-sided wear
The single biggest reason for one-sided wear is because of axle geometry. Deviations can develop over time and are the result of, for example, aggressively mounting a curb.
Lowering the height of a vehicle in conjunction with low-profile tires can also affect wheel alignment. During driving, modified suspension arms tend to deviate the alignment of the wheels from the specified position. The problem can catch drivers unaware, because wheel alignment values can still be found to be within tolerance limits when measured in a static position on an axle measurement bench.
But the manufacturer’s alignment data applies to vehicles as delivered and may not necessarily apply to customized cars. Thus, the result may be an increase in non-uniform treadwear.
If a vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, a qualified specialist can correct the deviation by re-aligning the wheels.
An impact break is damage inflicted on the carcass (the casing of the tire) after the tire comes into contact with certain obstacles. A pronounced bulge on the sidewall of the tire indicates destroyed cords inside the carcass.
Damage of this kind is usually caused by driving over objects – like curbs or speed bumps – at excessive speed or the wrong angle. Overstressing the carcass causes individual cords to break. The exact extent of the damage will depend on the speed and angle of impact, and the size of the obstacle. Careful motorists are usually able to avoid this type of damage, unless an obstacle suddenly appears in front of a vehicle and they can't steer around it.
Ignoring such damage increases the risk of tire failure at some point in the future, either delamination of the tread and plies or disintegration of the tire sidewall.
An impact break is sometimes confused with a sidewall indentation, but they are not the same thing. As we explain below, dimples or indentations in the sidewall are not a cause for alarm.
A tire sidewall is not always perfectly even; sometimes there will be dimples and indentations and may require a more detailed inspection to determine the causes. The essential thing to know is that indentations are harmless and aren't detrimental either to driving or safety characteristics. The dimples are superficial.
Indentations in the tire are best illustrated if you were to imagine tying a string around an inflated balloon and then gently pulling the string tighter. If the balloon is the tire, the string is the embedded carcass cords which are concealed by the rubber.
These cords provide the tire with its strength and stability, and transfer steering and braking forces while driving.
During manufacture of a tire – or rather when constructing the carcass, to which the steel belt and the tread are attached – there are often one or two overlaps in the carcass. It's this overlap which is sometimes visible as an indentation after the tire is fitted and inflated.
But if you're in any doubt, have the sidewall indentations checked by a qualified tire specialist.
Cuts are the result of external influences like bad road conditions, protruding bodywork parts, or sharp, foreign objects such as stones or glass. If you discover damage in the form of a cut on the tire surface, you should visit your local tire dealer and have your tires immediately checked by an expert.
Punctures are the consequence of sharp objects on the road – for example, nails, screws, or broken glass – which pierce through the surface of the tire.
If the puncture is deep enough, the tire could begin to lose air pressure. If you find that one or more of your tires are continuously losing pressure, or if you discover a nail or screw embedded in the tread, then visit your local tire specialist as soon as possible to have them repaired.
Change the position of the tires on the car at regular intervals (unless otherwise recommended by the vehicle manufacturer) to promote even tire wear. The position of the tires should be rotated, for example, when making the seasonal transition from summer to winter tires.
By rotating the wheels from the powered to the non-powered axle on a regular basis, drivers can expect to have a uniform pattern of wear on their tires. But as always, please observe the recommendations provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to drive over an obstacle in the road, approach it slowly and as close to the perpendicular as possible.
Afterward, check your tires for exterior damage such as cuts, cracks or bulges. Also, avoid driving aggressively on unpaved roads.
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Category: Operation and maintenance
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A car tire has a complex structure and a specific rubber compound that protects the tire from impacts and retains its shape under high loads. The design of the wheel consists of several strength frames - metal wire and nylon thread, they keep the rubber on the trajectory during intense and dangerous driving. nine0003
Any kind of damage can result in negative consequences that will affect driving safety and stability on the road. And if the majority of punctures can be repaired in the service or repaired by oneself, then the side cut of the tire often forces one to resort to a complete tire replacement.
Riding on damaged tires in the usual mode is extremely dangerous. How to fix a tire so that you can ride comfortably without consequences, and is it possible to seal or repair a cut tire? We will answer these and other relevant questions for motorists in this material. nine0003
Modern services can repair a tire after a front or side puncture. You can repair a tire, thanks to the universal set of a motorist, with your own hands. It is enough to seal the hole with a special tourniquet.
Is this type of damage dangerous and should it be replaced? Only the master can unambiguously answer the question, having studied the lateral damage. The specialist will determine the nature of the puncture that needs to be repaired and offer a complete tire replacement or repair. It is inexpedient and dangerous to close up a large puncture, due to which the tire is deformed. nine0003
To determine how to close a side cut, you need to study the type of damage:
Sealing a cut on a tire is much more difficult than a normal repair, so it is often necessary to perform an involuntary replacement of tires. Repairing the wheel is impossible due to side wires and threads that break under side load. Taping and repairing lateral damage will not help repair the threads. Any obstacle or potential contact with a bump at high speed will have the adverse effect of bursting the tire due to the load, resulting in a dangerous loss of control. nine0003
A side puncture is less dangerous than a longitudinal cut. However, not every defect requires replacement. Masters will be able to repair tires if the deformed area placed along the carcass threads does not exceed 50 mm. The possibility of repair is also available if the side cut located across the tire threads is less than 30 mm.
However, we do not recommend doing repairs in this case with your own hands. To preserve the protective properties and avoid possible negative consequences, it is necessary to use professional equipment. nine0003
Should cuts be repaired? A popular question for motorists who are faced with a choice is whether to seal a defect or replace a wheel. The possible consequences of cuts scare car owners, but do-it-yourself repairs are more attractive because they are cheaper than buying fresh tires.
To avoid dangerous consequences, sealing small and large side cuts is prohibited if more than 10 cords are to be repaired and a hole larger than 30 mm is to be patched. It is possible to repair tires for passenger cars with a side cut of the tire if it is a shallow scratch. nine0003
Driving with a cut in a tire is not safe. The degree of risk depends on the nature of the damage and the experience of the specialist who will seal the seam.
Before sealing the hole with your own hands or entrusting a restoration to a specialist, you should examine the lateral damage. Manufacturers recommend replacing tires if it is necessary to seal 20 mm or more. However, if it is possible to change a wheel, the opportunity should be taken as soon as possible. Since even a small defect is dangerous during the trip. During operation, a hernia is formed, which explodes if timely replacement is not made. If you drive on a tire with a side cut for a long time and do not do repairs in the service or with your own hands, there is a high risk of getting into an accident. nine0003
In order to strengthen the structure of tires, manufacturers add several layers of metal cord to models. Also on the market there is a fabric cord, which includes fibers from nylon, which allows you to increase the strength of rubber. Therefore, in order to seal the tire in the service or repair it yourself in case of a puncture, it is necessary to use high-quality materials.
If the recommendations for replacement are not followed, there is a high risk of dangerous and unpredictable consequences.
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Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV
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Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
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Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
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Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
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nine0002 Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ To accurately assess the effects of tire deformation, before repairing a tire, contact a specialized center.
The masters will figure out whether it is possible to continue driving a car or whether it is worth replacing the rubber. The main inspection criterion is the width of the seam that needs to be repaired. It should be borne in mind that it is dangerous to close up and seal holes with a width of more than 40 mm with rubber mixtures. nine0003
If the craftsmen decide to restore the tire and make a patch, then the restoration process includes the following steps:
The decision to patch should be made by experienced professionals who will be able to advise whether to patch or replace tires. Restoration of rubber, despite the observance of technology, cannot restore the original properties of the carcass, so you should drive carefully on such rubber. nine0003
It is also worth considering that if you do the restoration of a tire, it is necessary to break in before active operation. To avoid negative consequences, we do not recommend moving at high speeds.
Written by: The Goodyear Team
Author: Kirill Savchenko
“Chief, you've got ten minutes of work to do, the hole is nothing! Well, come up with something .
.. ”Every tire fitter has probably heard such words. Alas, not all tire damage can be repaired...
But the situation can be reversed. A wheel pierced by protruding reinforcement may be repairable, while a small cut will write off the tire for scrap. Experienced tire fitters believe that it all depends on the point of damage and the object that caused it. nine0189
Most often, drivers encounter punctures in the tread area of a tire. It is not always possible to detect it immediately. If in the days of tires and chambers the wheel lost pressure at the slightest puncture, then tubeless tires are much more reliable in this regard. A nail or self-tapping screw usually closes the puncture site, preventing air from escaping quickly.
With such a "plug" you can sometimes drive for months. The tire can lose pressure minimally without arousing suspicion. At the same time, an attempt to pull out a noticed nail on the way is likely to turn into a problem. In this case, the only recommendation is to pull out a foreign object only in a tire shop and repair the wheel.
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In most cases, tread punctures are repaired either with special harnesses (some for temporary use, some for permanent use) or patches on the inside of the tire. Even damage caused by massive pins can be repaired. The main thing is that a piece of the tire along with the cord is not torn out.
In the latter case, the hole is filled with raw rubber, vulcanized, and a special cord patch is placed on the inside. But this will only be a temporary measure. In addition, such repairs are not cheap, and purchasing a new tire can be both more profitable and safer. nine0003
In addition to the plaster, cord “fungi” are also used. Lubricated with glue, the “fungus” is inserted into the puncture from the inside of the tire, then the excess part of the “leg” is cut off from the outside.
On the other hand, a cord patch can seriously help with side cuts. And car owners meet with them quite often. But here there are several nuances. In a roadside tire shop, the cut will most likely not heal.
You need to contact a company with specialized equipment, primarily vulcanization. nine0003
And one vulcanizer is indispensable here. Cord patches must be with a certain number of layers, designed for strictly defined damage sites and of a suitable size. And again we are talking about the nuances.
If the cut is in the shoulder area of the tire, then it is most often impossible to repair it qualitatively. The tire fitter who offered such a service is at great risk, even if he claims that he will weave a piece of new cord with his hands and vulcanize it. There are no miracles in this situation, but in any case, the last word belongs to an experienced specialist. nine0003
Side cuts on low profile tires with a tread height of less than 50% of the width are poorly treated. That is why, in the case of using a car on roads with a possibility of tire damage, it is better to put those that are higher. They are much easier and cheaper to repair.
By the way, an injury that looks like a cut at first glance may not be one.
If the sidewall of the wheel catches on something sharp, and a tear forms on the tire, without damaging the cord, then this is called a pinch. It does not carry momentary danger and does not require any complex repairs. nine0003
However, if a piece of rubber remains, then it is glued with ordinary superglue. If not, you will need raw rubber and a vulcanizer. It is impossible to leave the cord bare: under the influence of moisture, it can collapse, which will lead to the complete loss of the tire.
One of the most common and fatal tire defects is swelling or simply "herniation". Despite the absence of open damage to the rubber, such a wheel will be scrapped ahead of schedule. The fact is that when the sidewall is hit, the threads of the tire carcass break. Even if the swelling is very small, sooner or later the bump grows in size, and this is already fraught with an explosion of the wheel at speed. nine0003
However, some hernias can be repaired, but this is again a temporary measure.
Masters can put cord patches even in the tread area. But only on condition that the distance from the sidewall to the swelling is more than 40 mm. If less, the tire is not subject to further operation. By the way, on low-profile tires, hernias, for the most part, are not repairable - both on the tread and on the sidewalls.
One of the major tire problems is caused by unprofessional repairs. Moreover, the owner most often does not know about it. We are talking about damage to the bead ring, as a result of which the tire does not initially hold the specified pressure. nine0003
Eventually the bead ring begins to push out of the rim. At high speed or under heavy load, such a wheel can be disassembled, which again threatens the car with a loss of control.
This damage can be repaired provided that the wire ring or base is not damaged. Special technologies for such repairs are not provided, but experienced craftsmen use the so-called "cold" or chemical vulcanization using a two-component sealant.
The resulting mass covers places where there is no rubber on the bead ring. The main condition is to wait three days before mounting the tire on the disc. nine0003
As for Run Flat tires, according to the instructions of most manufacturers, they cannot be repaired. In extreme cases, you can use a bottle of special pressurized sealant that comes as a repair kit.
Comment of the expert of the company "SHINSERVICE":
Alexander Golubev
expert "SHINSERVICE"
First of all, we recall that most tire manufacturers do not recognize handicraft tire repair. It is considered a sign of external influence and changes in the design of the tire. Such a tire automatically voids the warranty. This does not happen if tire repairs are carried out in specialized, authorized tire brands services. Note that almost all major tire brands give their own extended warranty, according to which in most cases the repair is free, at a discount, or the product is generally replaced with a similar one, depending on the conditions of the program.
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Based on our experience, we can say that in most cases damage in the bead area and in the shoulder area is not repairable.
I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that most low-profile tires have high speed indexes (V and above), and even after professional repair they will not be able to operate in the same modes without restrictions. Therefore, we strongly recommend changing the tire in all cases, except for tread punctures.
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