Table of Contents
ORWL = Outlined Raised White Letters. B, BLK, BW, BSW = Blackwall or Black Sidewall. W, WW, WSE = Whitewall or White Sidewall. XNW = Extra Narrow White Width. XL = Extra Load Capacity.
What is the sidewall?
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.
What is side wall damage?
Sidewall tire damage is defined as tire damage that encompasses issues and deficiencies with the side or wall of your vehicle’s tires. You may have huge chunks of rubber that are missing from your tire. You may also have deep and huge abrasions that are due to you hitting curbs. Sidewall tire damage is very serious.
Is it safe to drive with sidewall damage?
It is never safe to drive on a tire with sidewall damage and that is because as you drive, the puncture, hole, or injury to the sidewall of the tire becomes bigger and worse, thereby putting yourself and other road users at risk due to possible sudden tire blowouts.
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.
Why can’t you plug a tire sidewall?
Why can’t tire sidewall punctures be fixed? When a proper inner patch is added, this flexing can weaken the air seal between the patch and the inner wall of the tire, causing the leak to continue. And plugs are out, because inserting any type of plug will most likely result in a bulge and/or blow-out.
Can you plug a tire close to the sidewall?
Any puncture closer than an inch to the sidewall is beyond mending and should not be patched. This tire, instead, should be replaced.
Is TYRE wall damage illegal?
When tyres become worn or damaged they must be replaced. There must, by law, be at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the centre 3/4 of the width of the tread throughout the entire circumference of the tyre. There must be no damage to the tyre body – sidewalls or tread, no bulges or cuts.
How do I know if my sidewall is damaged?
Symptom: bulge or bubble A bulge or bubble on the sidewall of a tire generally indicates damaged cords caused by a severe impact. Damaged cords are often accompanied by a visible break in the inner liner. If cords have been damaged, air has infiltrated into the plies and can result in a bulge.
Should I replace all 4 tires?
Is your car an all-wheel drive (AWD)? If so, most vehicle manufacturers and the Tire Industry Association (TIA) recommend that you always replace all four tires at the same time. That’s because the reduced diameter of the lower-tread tires causes them to spin faster than the new one.
Is cracking in tires bad?
When are Cracks in Tire Sidewall Unsafe? When sidewall cracks are minor and superficial, it may be safe to continue driving on the tires. This cracking can wear down the tire fast, and a small number of visible cracks can quickly lead to several major cracks that put your tire at serious risk of a sidewall blowout.
How do I know if my tire is damaged?
Trouble signs to look for Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls. Uneven tread wear. Excessively worn tread. Alternatively, you can use a Lincoln-head penny as a tread-wear indicator. Bulges or blisters. Excessive vibration.
Is sidewall tire damage covered under warranty?
Most manufacturers offer this coverage for the life of the tire. “Workmanship and materials means that we stand behind the product, should you run into some issue,” says Margadonna. Some of the problems that would be covered include severe cracking in the sidewall or the loss of a block of tread.
Why does my tire keep shredding?
Too much pressure: Some think they should put the pressure in the tire that is on the sidewall, when that is the maximum. Pressure rises 3–4 psi with heat of the sun or driving. It also rises with altitude. Hitting pot holes or curbs.
Why does my tire look ripped?
Without proper air pressure, the tire’s internal pieces will overflex, weaken, and, eventually, fail. If you drive any distance with a radically underinflated tire, have a professional demount the tire from the wheel and inspect its inside for any damage the low pressure might have caused.
What causes tire tears?
One of the main causes of tire failure is under-inflation. Tires that are under-inflated flex more in the sidewall. When the tire gets excessively hot, the rubber begins to degrade, which if driven on long enough, leads to a rupture in the sidewall of the tire, or tread separation.
What is considered a sidewall puncture?
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). A tire puncture greater than 1/4 inch (or 6mm) cannot be repaired. A new tire replacement is needed if a puncture exceeds this limit.
Is a tire plug permanent?
A tire plug or tire patch by itself is not a proper repair, because a plug does not permanently seal the inner-liner and the inside-only patch doesn’t fill the hole left by the nail or screw allowing water into the body of the tire, corroding the steel belts. Fix-a-flat will ruin your tire.
When should you not plug a tire?
Do not repair a tire if the injury extends into the shoulder or sidewall area. In this situation, the tire must be replaced. Punctures greater than ¼ of an inch or 6mm are prohibited. Full tire replacement is required if punctures exceed this limit.
