When should you replace tire with sidewall damage?

Beyond just your sidewall, if the damage to your tire tread is too extensive, then it cannot be safely fixed. If the gash left in your tire after a puncture is a quarter-inch or greater, the tire simply needs to be replaced.

Should you replace a tire with sidewall damage?

Sidewall 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.

Is it safe to drive on a tire with sidewall damage?

A sidewall tire damage is not safe to drive around with. The sidewalls of the tires are much more sensitive than the tread area. In many cases, the damage is damaging the whole structure of the tire, and it can cause it to blow at any moment.

When should the damaged tire be fixed?

If the tire has two punctures, getting a tire repaired may still be an option as long as the punctures are at least 16 inches apart and the maximum number of repairs does not exceed a total of 2 in the tire. Any more punctures than that, and you should consider getting a new tire.

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.

Sidewall Tire Damage Should I Replace It?

Should I repair or replace tire?

Punctures larger than a quarter-inch in diameter also can't be effectively and safely repaired. If the tire has a cut or gash, it can only be repaired if it's less than a quarter-inch in length. If the tire is worn and has less than 2/32-inch remaining tread depth, it is unsafe to repair and must be replaced.

What is considered the sidewall of a 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.

Should I fix or replace tire?

A tire can be repaired if it is flat, because of a puncture or split that is less than ¼ inch in length. The puncture can be repaired using patches and plugs. Tires that have a viable tread depth of less than 1/16 inch should be replaced.

What causes side wall damage?

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.

What causes a tire sidewall blowout?

Tire blowouts are usually the result of overloading the vehicle, impact damage (either immediate or delayed depending on severity of the impact), a massive cut that causes rapid air loss, or an unnoticed small puncture that allows the tire to slowly lose air over time until it fails.

How do you know if you have sidewall damage?

Can I drive with a damaged 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.

Can you drive on a tire with a chunk missing?

Driving on a tire with a chunk missing is dangerous for several reasons. First, the tire may blow out completely if the chunk gets too big. Second, even if the tire doesn't blow out, it will continue to wear down and will need to be replaced sooner than if it wasn't damaged.

Can I just replace one tire?

Tread of other tires: If the other three tires are fairly new, you may be able to get by with just replacing one or two tires without drastically impacting performance and safety. As a rule of thumb, if the other 2 or 3 tires are worn down more than 4/32 of an inch of tread, you should replace all 4 tires.

What is the weakest part of a tire?

The shoulder of the tire is the weakest part. So only those holes in the middle of the tire can be repaired.

How does tire sidewall affect handling?

The shorter sidewall will also make the tire stiffer, which will make the tire react faster to inputs (steering, brake, throttle) but may also make the tire less compliant to adhere to road surface imperfections.

Why do tires crack on the sides?

What Causes Tire Sidewall Cracking? Cracks are a sign that the rubber in your tires is starting to break down. This happens naturally due to exposure to UV light, oils, chemicals, and other elements that slowly break down compounds and reduce the rubber's flexibility over time.

Is getting a tire patched worth it?

Sure, repairing the tire might be the most cost-effective option, but not if it's at the expense of the safety of you and your passengers! Industry guidelines usually allow punctures up to 1/4” in diameter to be repaired safely, based on where the damage was done.

Is it worth patching a tire?

Patches are better than plugs for bigger holes, holes closer to but not the sidewall and holes that aren't completely straight. Note that if you're looking to do tire sidewall repair, a patch will usually not cut it and you'll likely want to replace the tire. Don't patch the tire if it's near the sidewall.

How long are tires good for?

On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.

Why can't a tire sidewall be patched?

Why tires with punctured sidewalls can't be repaired. Unfortunately, sidewall punctures on passenger or light truck tires can't be repaired. That's because: The patch won't hold - Tires have cords that run all around the tread of the tire, the part the makes contact with the road.

How thick is the sidewall of a tire?

Tire sidewalls vary in thickness from the shoulder area to the bead area. In the thinnest part, typically in the middle to upper area, most sidewalls are between 6- and 15-mm thick – about 1/4- to 5/8-inch thick.

What happens if you plug a tire too close to the sidewall?

More specifically, damage to the sidewall will seriously damage the structure of a wheel. The solution to this problem is to insert an extra tube inside the wheel to ensure that you can still turn the whole thing.