How do you know if you have sidewall damage?

What does sidewall damage look like?

Sidewall tire damage is what it sounds like; damage to the tire's sidewall, meaning the damage is on the side of the tire and not the tire tread. Sidewall tire damages are, in most cases, not repairable. You can often spot one by seeing a deep scratch or a bubble on the tire's sidewall.

Can I drive with a damaged side wall?

Can you drive on a tyre with a damaged sidewall? The short answer is no, you should not drive your vehicle if any of the tyre sidewalls are damaged, unless driving to have the problem fixed. Not only is it dangerous, but it will lead to an instant fail of your MOT as it's considered illegal.

Can a tire with sidewall damage be repaired?

The puncture is within the tread area* of the tire – sidewall punctures are NOT repairable. The tire puncture is ¼ inch in diameter or less. The angle of the puncture is at least 45 degrees or more. The tire does not have another repaired area overlapping the new area to be repaired.

How does sidewall damage occur?

Sidewall Damage

The sidewalls of your tires are thinner and more vulnerable to puncture than even the tread. It's the air inside the tire that gives it strength to support a huge vehicle, not the sidewalls. That means it's quite possible to sustain a cut or gash in the sidewall that leads to a flat tire.

Sidewall Tire Damage? USE THIS TEST!

How can you tell if someone messed your tires?

A sign that someone punctured your tire is if there is a clean, straight cut on the tire, especially along the sidewall. Knife slashes will be small, straight cuts a few inches long—roughly the size of a knife blade. Another hint is if this cut is on the sidewall of your tire.

How do I know if my tire is damaged?

Can hitting a curb damage tire?

Hitting a curb can do some nasty damage to your tires, let alone other vehicle components including the suspension. Even striking one at turtle-like speed can wreck your day!

When should I worry about tire sidewall damage?

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 is considered sidewall of tire?

The Sidewall is the "smooth", vertical area on the side of the tire between the edge of the tread and the bead of the tire, which does not include any area where tread grooves are still visible.

Do tire warranties cover sidewall damage?

If the tire warranty was purchased for the tire, and it's in the recommended spec, and repairable, it will be repaired. If the tire cannot be repaired due to issues like punctures in the sidewall, the tire will be replaced.

What to look for after hitting a curb?

How hard do you have to hit a curb to cause damage?

Hitting a curb at speeds of just 5–10 mph is enough to cause significant damage. Even if the impact feels insignificant, you should still pull over to assess the damage.

How close to sidewall can tire be repaired?

For a safe repair, the puncture must be 1/2 inch away or more from the edge of the tire tread where the internal steel belt begins. Any puncture less than 1/2 inch from the start of the internal steel belt on the shoulder or sidewall of the tire cannot be repaired (highlighted in red).

Can I drive 1 mile on a flat tire?

No. Do not drive on a flat tire. However, it may be necessary to travel a short distance on a flat tire when pulling over to the side of the road. But driving on a flat tire is a surefire way to put your passengers at risk and seriously damage your vehicle.

What does a flat tire feel like?

When you have a flat tire and you're driving, it'll feel like your vehicle is being pulled to the side of the flat tire, and it'll feel like you can't accelerate. It's important to stay calm and, instead of slamming on your brakes, gently apply increasing pressure so you can maintain control of the vehicle.

What are four common symptoms of tire problems?

Do bad tires make noise?

When the wheel bearing in your tires is damaged or deteriorating, it produces a soft humming sound or grinding noise when you change lanes. It's best to have the wheel bearings replaced as soon as possible to prevent excessive damage and collisions.

What does a separated tire feel like?

A common sign of tire tread separation is that the car will begin shaking at a certain speed (most often between 10 mph to 40 mph). This may begin as a small vibration, but as the problem worsens, it may feel as though the whole wheel is shaking side-to-side as though the wheel is not tightly fastened.

Why do my tires wobble when I drive?

There are two common causes for a wobbly tire: 1) The tire has separated or 2) The wheel is bent or misshapen. Either way, go to a repair shop immediately. Wobbly tires are a serious safety issue that could lead to a blowout. To solve the issue, you must first determine which tire is the problem.

Is sidewall damage covered under road hazard?

Road hazard does not cover the following items: damage from off-road use, collision, fire, vandalism, theft, show chains, manufacturer's defect, abuse and neglect (i.e., improper inflation, overloading, brake lock up, wheel spinning, torque snags, etc.), cosmetic damage, sidewall abrasions or other appearance items ...