Tire damage is quite frustrating, as it means this car part is starting to wear and is unsafe to drive with.
While repairs may hold your tire for some time, the most viable solution is getting a replacement, which will cost you a few hundred dollars to get. Tire sidewall damage refers to any degradation on the sides.
In today’s article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at this problem, focusing on causes, signs, and solutions. Stick on to get ahead of this issue in case you face it.
What Is the Tire Sidewall?
The tire sidewall is the smooth, vertical area of rubber between the tread (the part that touches the road) and the wheel rim. It’s where you’ll usually find all the important information like tire size, brand, and load index.
But most importantly, it’s the part that supports the tire to keep its shape, cushions shocks from bumps and potholes, and is responsible for overall ride comfort.
In contrast to the tread that is thick and widely grooved, the sidewall is thinner and more elastic, and in turn, more susceptible to damage.
Tire sidewall damage is something people tend to associate with worn-out tread, but the sidewall has its place as well, and issues here can be just as dire. You may not notice it immediately, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bad.
Neglecting damage here is like neglecting a crack in a foundation, it may not look like much now, but one day it could cause failure.
What is a Tire Sidewall Damage?
Any damage on the tire’s sidewall, whether on the outer or inner side of the sidewall, will be considered sidewall damage. Most of the time, these damages on the sidewall of the tire can’t be repaired, and you’ve to replace the damaged tire with a new one.
Because there’re no steel cables on the sidewall as in the tire tread, so any damage to the tire sidewall, can progress quickly and be unsecure to drive on.
Most common signs of damage to the tire sidewall such as missing huge chunks of rubber tissues from the tire sidewall, bubbles or bulges on the sidewall, abrasions caused by hitting a curb or pothole, and cracks and cuts on the tire sidewall.
If you spot any of them on your tire sidewall, you should visit your tire expert to figure out the current health status of your tire.
Types of tire sidewall damage
There are 6 main categories of sidewall damage:
#1. Tire sidewall scratches and nicks.
Scratches may appear on the sidewall of your tires. If they are numerous and/or pronounced, you should have your tires examined by a professional.
#2. Tire sidewall cuts.
A cut in the tire sidewall can be more or less deep. The severity of the cut will depend on this. But it is difficult for a non-expert to assess its depth.
- If the cut is deep, it may have damaged the carcass ply that lies under the rubber and helps contain the pressure. If the carcass ply is damaged, there is a risk of sudden pressure loss. In this case, the tire is not repairable and needs to be replaced.
- If the cut is not deep, it may not be an immediate danger, but it could escalate and compromise your safety.
Note that this type of damage can occur on the inner sidewall (not visible when you examine your vehicle) of the tire as well as on the outer sidewall.
For these reasons, after driving over sharp elements (e.g. sharp stones), it is recommended that you have your tires checked to ensure that they are free of cuts.
#3. Tire sidewall bulges and bubbles.
When your vehicle drives onto a kern, either from the front or at an angle, or a pothole a bulge may appear on the sidewall of a tire. It looks like a bubble forming on the tire sidewall.
#4. Tire sidewall cracks.
Sidewall cracks are a sign of ageing of your tires but also of exposure to sun and ozone. Another cause may be the cleaning of the sidewall of the tires.
If you use chemicals to shine your tires, they may remove the protective agents and therefore expose your tires to cracking more quickly.
The appearance of cracks in the tire sidewall is a warning sign that the tire is nearing the end of its life and that you should prepare to change it. You can consult a professional for advice.
The appearance of cracks in the tire sidewall is a warning sign that the tire is nearing the end of its life and that you should prepare to change it. You can consult a professional for advice.
#5. Tire sidewall slight deformation.
It is quite normal to observe slight deformations in radial tires (the majority of tires). This does not affect their performance.
The sidewall of your tires is made up of many components including plies (textile or metal). You will often notice a slight deformation where the plies overlap.
#6. Tire sidewall puncture.
When the tire tread (the part that is in contact with the ground surface) is punctured (for example by a nail), a repair is possible.
The hole is filled in and once the tire is reassembled, it can be driven again with the same performance.
However, it is different for the tire sidewall. If the sidewall is punctured or cut, it is impossible to repair the tire and to regain its deformation qualities which are required for optimum performance. The tire must therefore be replaced in this case.
What Causes Tire Sidewall Damage?
The common causes of tire sidewall damage are aging, manufacturing defects, poor driving habits, overloading, underinflated tires, a case of vandalism, and long storage.
#1. Old tires.
Your tires can still go bad after a certain period, even if you don’t drive your car regularly. Just like snacks in the grocery stores, your car tire has an expiration date. It will expire even if you don’t use it.
Over time, the rubber compound used in manufacturing tires can lose its elasticity and become brittle due to changes in temperature, the sun’s UV rays, air humidity, and other external factors. If this happens, your tire sidewalls can crack and expose its internal material.
#2. Long storage tire.
If you park your car for a long time, the tires can become flat, and if the car continues resting on the flat tire, the weight of the vehicle will warp the tire sidewall.
To avoid this from happening, I recommend you suspend your tires if you want to leave your car parked for over a month.
#3. Manufacturer faults.
Today’s tire market is flooded with tires from different manufacturers. Some of these manufacturers are just in the market to cash out. They don’t care about their integrity.
They just assemble the tire with cheap rubber and other cheap materials and flood them into the market without test-running them. These tires are sometimes three times cheaper than premium ones.
These manufacturers don’t have good in-house control, they often source resources from cheap suppliers, and they don’t spend money on research and development.
The end result is that these tire sidewalls develop cracks, bulges, and deformations. The truth is, these things can happen on premium tires, but they occur less compared to cheap tires.
#4. Aging.
Once a tire is past its service life, which ranges between 6-10 years, depending on the model, you will start to notice signs of wear.
This is due to extended use, subjecting it to various forces of nature like friction and constant expansion and contraction due to heat changes.
#5. Underinflated Tires.
Tire wear patterns, such as those seen on the sides, are signs of poor inflation. The wearing may extend to the sidewalls, especially if the vehicle is supporting a heavy load. Due to low pressure, the sides will have to bear much of the load, leading to their tear.
#6. Overloading.
Commercial and multipurpose vehicles are the ones that mostly bear the brunt of this problem due to overloading. If the vehicle handles too much load past its supporting limits, the wheels may bulge or wiggle as you drive.
This makes the walls bulge out or come in contact with the road surface. Considering that the sidewalls are soft, such conditions contribute to its damage.
#7. Poor Driving.
Poor skills on the road may also bring about this issue. For instance, tire damage from hitting a curb, where the concrete erodes the rubber on the sidewall.
With time, you will notice that the walls are becoming tender. If you continue driving on such tires, you risk a blowout.
#8. A Case of Vandalism.
The sidewalls are the main targets of vandalism, like tire slashing. Here, you have someone intentionally destroying your vehicle parts to settle a score or for mischief.
A slash does a lot of damage, ensuring that you are immobile until you have the tire repaired or replaced. This is a major tire sidewall cut cause.
Additionally, manufacturing defects can be possible pointers to this problem, especially if it wears faster than expected.
How Do You Fix It?
Since you can’t fix a harmed sidewall, you’ll control to obtain a replacement tire put onto the perimeter. Here’s how to accomplish so.
#1. Loosen the Lug Bolts.
Once the automobile is in the atmosphere, if you control it to function challenging to facilitate the bolts, you could accidentally sway the automobile off the jack stand.
If you maintain credentials to a breaker line, the moment to employ it is to accumulate further force on the clod wrenching. So, obtaining the determined lug bolts formed on the bottom is a good idea.
Before you jack up the automobile, it’s an acceptable thought to get a charge to begin facilitating the lubber bolts that maintain the rotation to the nucleus.
Operate your route near the lug bolts (there usually exist four or five) until one stands relieved a quarter bend individually.
To accomplish so, position your lug wrenching on the preferably bolt and endeavor to twist it counterclockwise. If it’s again challenging to accomplish by hand, you can operate your floor to try and convey it rotating.
#2. Jack the Car Up.
Assemble foolproof to use the correct jack topics for your automobile. Construct sure the tire is off the floor and elevated adequately for you to dismiss it.
You’ll require at small a hairsbreadth of approval. Nowadays, when the bolts stand eased, you can jack the automobile up into the atmosphere utilizing a bottom jack.
Regard operating a rotation chock against the opposing intersection’s tire to intercept the automobile from locomoting or proceeding.
#3. Set Your Jack Stand.
If the jack falls, you could be extremely damaged or extinguished when the automobile smashes down. Alternatively, you can likewise employ accumulations of lumber or cribbing to keep the automobile’s significance.
Operating underneath an automobile held exclusively by a jack is not secure. So, for protection, consistently utilize a grade jack stand to maintain the automobile in business.
#4. Remove the Lug Nuts and Wheel.
The rotation and tire should glide off the intersection with the bolts off. If it appears stuck, present the flank of the tire with a satisfactory smash with the heel of your writing.
Nowadays, that the automobile is robbed and safely kept, you can extract the lout nuts from the remains of the way. A tandem of intense impact intention facilitates it, and you can then twitch it off the remains of the pathway.
#5. Replace the Tire.
If you purchased your tire, you’d exclusively deliver to dispose of the ancient one and mount and counteract the unused one.
With the revolution and tires released from the automobile, you can obtain them at a restoration store. Or, you’ll expend the store for the support and dismounting, as agreeably as the expense of a replacement tire.
#6. Reattach the Rim.
Then, refasten the lubber bolts in a principal practice so they tighten evenly. With your further tire scaled to your rotation, you can reinstall it on your automobile.
Release your cribbing, decrease your jack, and bring a difficult move. You’ve successfully returned your harmed tire.
How to Avoid Sidewall Tire Damage?
You can lower the probability of maintaining your tire’s sidewall conclude up with impairment by observing the essential teachings.
These possess periodic checking of air coercion at least once a month, exclusively moving with suggested load limit and swiftness rating, bypassing highway hazards, and maintaining them restricted by tire professionals should you feel something is not respectable with your tires.
#1. Check Air Pressure Regularly.
Besides, executing a cold tire force assignment would be best since the air coercion changes with temperature differences.
You should maintain them correspond at undersized once a month or if you witness any observable signals that they may exist humiliated.
These instruments take up a similarly considerable area and can be stowed with your necessary rehabilitation instrument kit.
A sound method is consistently maintaining a tire pressure gauge paired with a movable inflator powered by your automobile’s authority medium.
#2. Match the Vehicle Load and Speed Ratings to the Vehicle’s Recommendations.
The legend embossed on your tires accomplishes not exclusively note the size itself; it likewise suggests the pace rating request.
Additionally, the tire knowledge sticker on your automobile door framing declares the backpack limit with the suggested tire air coercion in psi. It is important that you likewise learn the basics of tire knowledge tasks.
#3. Avoid Road Hazards.
Steer out from places with ongoing highway restoration or rehabilitation since these live dwellings to plenty of building debris such as staples and additional tapered metals, as agreeably as intelligent pebbles that may induce scrapes in the sidewall of your tires.
Furthermore, carry a glance forward for potholes, and be mindful when driving almost a curb not to pull too compact, or you’ll score your tire’s sidewall. It exists most convincing to schedule your course along with duration.
#4. Have Your Tires Checked by Experts.
Tire machinists and specialists maintain a wide knowledge of trading with such situations throughout their expertise. They may also look for other concerns on your tires that you may overlook on checking.
Is It Safe To Drive On A Tire with Sidewall Damage?
With a quick look at tire sidewall damage Reddit discussions, you get a clear answer to this question. No, you can’t and shouldn’t drive on damaged tires. Instead, get a replacement.
A cheaper option is to repair the damaged part, though it is a temporary solution. For instance, if you decide to patch it, it may open up after handling some distance.
Driving on bad tires is quite dangerous, both to you and other road users. First of all, the experience may be rough, with bad fuel economy. You also risk a blowout, which is severe when driving at fast speeds.
Furthermore, you may have to deal with law enforcement officers for driving an unroadworthy vehicle. Fines may come your way as a penalty.
How Much Does A Tire Blowout Cost?
A tire blowout repair cost will factor in tire replacements. The price ranges from $30-$300, depending on the manufacturer and type. Then, there may be costs to repair other spoilt parts resulting from the incident.
Then there is wheel alignment and balancing, which is at least $100. On average, you may have to part with around $150 to deal with a tire blowout.
FAQs.
Q: Can You Repair A Tire With Sidewall Damage?
As mentioned repeatedly, tire sidewall damage is severe and needs a replacement. However, there are instances that tire sidewall damage repairs apply, like if the crack or cuts do not go past the tread. Otherwise, driving on tire sidewall damage puts you at risk of a blowout.
Q: When Should You Replace A Tire With Sidewall Damage?
If you notice bulges and bubbles, cuts, or punctures on the tire sidewalls, you have got some damage. It’s intense.
You may not see it but prepare a visit to your tire shop for a replacement. The tire expert will examine the tire and see if it needs to be replaced or repaired.
Q: How Dangerous Is Sidewall Damage?
The sidewall is soft compared to other parts of the tire. If there is any damage to this area, there is a high chance of expansion. You are at risk of a tire blowout if you ignore it and continue driving with it.
Q: Why Can’t You Plug A Tire Sidewall Puncture?
Fixing a puncture on a tire sidewall won’t do you much favor. It’ll only hold the air pressure for a short while.
One thing to keep in mind is that you have to pressurize the wheel. The tire pressure and vehicle weight may push out the plug, taking you back to the first step of seeking a solution.
Q: Is Sidewall Damage Covered Under Warranty?
A tire warranty is a crucial area to look at when getting a new set of wheels. It covers any manufacturing faults. The warrant will only cover sidewall damage if it results from a hitch in their manufacturing process.
Q: Does Insurance Cover Tire Blowout Damage?
In case of an accident resulting from a tire blowout, comprehensive insurance can cover you. It focuses on damage caused to your vehicle besides a collision or accident.
If the cause of the blowout happens because of negligence or due to underinflating, the insurer may decline to compensate you.
Q: Can You Drive On A Blown-Out Tire?
In the event of a blowout, you can drive on the flat tire for a few yards before stopping. The short drive helps achieve stability, with the flat providing some cushioning for the rims. In normal situations, never drive on a blown-out tire, as you will damage other car parts.
Final Thought
Tire sidewall damage is a common occurrence on many vehicles. It is a sign of aged tires or poor driving.
If you notice a degradation of this tire part, go for an immediate replacement. This article touches on this subject, with impressive giveaways on how to deal with tire sidewall issues.