The tires are made of durable, synthetic rubber materials and rigid belts and body plies. This makes them durable. They are able to withstand heat and load from friction.

Tires are susceptible to damage, just like any other vehicle component. There are also damages that cannot be repaired. This damage can be found in the tire sidewall as a result of cuts, bulges, or chipped rubber. It begs the question: “How much sidewall tire damage can you tolerate?”

You need to inspect the threads around the damaged area in order to determine the extent of sidewall tire damage. It’s time for the tire to be replaced if you can see the threads and radial cords. These threads can be found 0.125 to 0.188 inches below the surface of your sidewall.

What is Sidewall Tire Damage?

Sidewall damage can be defined as any issues or deficiencies you find in the sidewalls of your tires. This can cause a serious problem and even a total tire failure. However, you can make the best decision to resolve this problem by replacing your tires.

What Can Be Categorized as Sidewall Tire Damage?

Sidewall tire damage refers to any irregularities within the tire’s walls. It can range from minor cuts, abrasions, or bulging, to larger cases like missing large chunks of rubber.

Missing huge chunks of rubber

These are the portions of the tire’s sidewall that have been removed from the tire. It is possible that the inner cords holding the structure of your tire may be exposed.

Deep and big abrasions

The severity of abrasions from hitting a curb or running over a pothole can affect the size. They can appear slash-like or have rough scapes. These abrasions, regardless of their size, should be noticed.

Bubble

Sidewall bubbles are a bulge that protrudes from the side of the tire due to high-impact damage like hitting a pothole or running into a curb. It can cause a blowout, just like any other sidewall damage.

Causes of Sidewall Tire Damage

Sidewall tire damage can result from a variety of factors, including driver negligence regarding the quality of the tires. These include tire wear, tire age, tire factory defects, poor quality checks, overloading, and underinflation.

Tire Age

Tires are designed to withstand harsh road conditions and certain load limits. But, tires’ elasticity, strength and durability won’t last forever. Most tire manufacturers claim a lifespan of 8-10 years from the date of manufacture.

The rubber components will then become brittle and dry. The inner plies that keep them together will weaken and eventually their parts will fall apart.

Under-inflation

No matter what type of tire you use or how often you use it, your tires will deflate in normal conditions. Regular air pressure checks are essential to ensure your safety and the longevity of your tires.

Under-inflation is usually caused by the driver not checking their air pressure regularly. Tires that are under-inflated cause tread and sidewall to flex more because they don’t have enough air pressure to support the vehicle load. This causes excessive stress on the sidewall, eventually leading to cracking and other damage.

Factory defects

These cases will be more common on tires of lower quality, which means they have not performed the necessary tests before rolling off to the factory. The speed rating is one of the most common examples. These tires that are not properly rated have the tendency to heat up and cause damage to the sidewalls, even if they are checked thoroughly.

Overloading

Your suspension system and tires will be stressed if you exceed the limit. Overloading your vehicle can cause them to burst, or even blow up due to the buildup of air pressure on the sidewalls and the heat from friction. Overloading can also cause compromised handling. This causes the vehicle to wiggle or wobble from one side to the other.

Tire wear

Tires with significant wear are more likely than others to heat up faster than usual, which can lead to a blowout. The worst thing that can happen is if the reinforcement that keeps the shape of the tires has already reached the sidewall. An accidental hit to the curb could result in a damaged sidewall.

Can I Still Drive with a Sidewall Tire Damage?

You should immediately have your tire replaced if you see any signs of damage to the sidewalls. To get a new tire, you should put your spare tire in your trunk. If you are having trouble with your spare tire, you might consider calling roadside assistance.

It may be argued that “it still seems sturdy enough, so why should we hurry?” It doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t drive it. Safety is your priority from the moment you turn the ignition. Sidewall tire damage can cause a blowout at any moment and could put everyone on the road in danger.

Can a Tire with Sidewall Damage be Repaired?

No matter if the damage is minor, major or minor, it is best to not attempt to repair or patch any damage to the tire sidewall.

How to Avoid Sidewall Tire Damage

These are the basics to help reduce the chance of your tire’s sidewall getting damaged. You can reduce the likelihood of your tire’s sidewall getting damaged by following these simple instructions: Regularly check your air pressure at least once per month; avoid road hazards; only drive with the recommended load limit and speed rating; and finally, have them checked by tire specialists if you suspect something is wrong with your tires.

Check air pressure regularly

They should be checked at least once per month. If you notice any visual clues that they are deflated, it is a good idea to have them checked. You should also conduct a cold tire pressure measurement, as air pressure changes with temperature.

It is a good idea to have a tire pressure gauge and a portable inflator, which can be powered from your vehicle’s electrical outlet. These tools are lightweight and can be stored together with your basic repair tools.

Match the vehicle load and speed ratings to the vehicle’s recommendations

You should also be familiar with basic tire information reading. The code on your tires not only indicates the size of the tire, but also the recommended speed rating. The tire information sticker located on the vehicle’s door frame clearly indicates the load limit and recommended tire pressure in psi.

Avoid road hazards

Plan your route in advance. Avoid areas that are currently undergoing road rehabilitation or repair. These areas can house a lot construction debris, such as nails or other pointed metals, and sharp stones that could cause damage to your tires’ sidewalls.

You should also be aware of potholes and avoid drawing too close to curbs. Otherwise, you could scratch your tire’s sidewall.

Have your tires checked by experts

Experts and tire technicians have extensive experience in dealing with these issues. They might also be able to spot other issues on your tires that you missed while inspecting them.

Final thoughts

Sidewall tire damage shouldn’t be treated in the same manner as we treat punctures within the tread with patch and plugs. It is time to replace your tires if you notice that your sidewall damage has already exposed the cords and threads.