Sidewall Damage

…the legal minimum but we wouldn't wait that long to replace tires. • If you cut or puncture the sidewall, or drove on a flat tire (or one with very low inflation)—you've probably damaged the tire beyond repair. It's probably time. • Never ignore a bubble, blister, bulge, large cut or…

…tire sidewall against curbs when parking. While unsightly, cosmetic sidewall scuffing doesn't reduce the strength of the tire. Some drivers will have their tires remounted inside out to hide the cosmetically damaged white sidewall under the vehicle. Drivers who repeatedly damage white sidewall tires…

…be damaged. If the sidewall separation/bubble appears after six months of on-vehicle service, prolonged driving on overloaded/underinflated tires or a road hazard are the most likely causes. However it may take weeks or months after an impact for a separation/bubble to appear as the damaged or…

…and can do serious damage to any vehicle. Potholes are something we have to live with, at least in the northern states. I have spoke with more people lately needing to get one replacement tire as a result of pothole damage. A few tips to use when dealing with pothole damage on replacement wheels…

…on the road have never been considered a tire's friend, many of today's tires resist accidental damage by featuring thicker rubber molded at key locations on their sidewalls. This helps reduce damage to the tires and/or wheels when drivers accidentally rub them against curbs while parking or turning…

…"weather cracking," maybe even "ozone cracking," it's cracking just the same. Most often you'll notice the damage along the sidewalls, and if the damage goes deep below the surface—odds are good it just might be time for a new tire. And typically, cracking only occurs later…

…with very low inflation pressure. * Tires cut or punctured in the shoulder or sidewall areas, as well as any tires driven on while flat or with very low inflation pressure even for short periods of time are often damaged beyond repair and should be replaced. Driving on a tire while flat or with very…

…a tire has too much air. Some drivers incorrectly inflate their tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall. If a vehicle's tires are overinflated by 6 psi, they could be damaged more easily when running over potholes or debris in the road. The most common place to find the proper tire…

…* How can I tell if my tires are directional and properly mounted/rotated? Directional tires will have a rotation arrow branded on the tire's sidewall. The arrow indicates the direction in which the tire should turn. Unless they are dismounted and remounted on their wheels to accommodate use on…

…sidewalls, but external inspection is not enough. Any repairs without removing the damaged tire from the wheel are improper because inspecting the inside of the tire for hidden damage greatly reduces the risk of returning a weakened tire to service. Without dismounting the tire, any hidden damage…

…procedure. Interestingly enough, when sun exposure or excessive cleaning is the cause of the small cracks, the sidewall of the tire facing outward will show damage, while the sidewall facing inward is rarely affected. The anti-aging chemicals used in the rubber compounds are more effective when…