Preventing and Repairing Tyre Sidewall Damage: Essential Tips for Drivers
With the state of British roads, tyre wall damage is a common occurrence. Generally, hitting a pothole is merely frustrating but on some occasions, it can seriously damage your tyres, wheels and suspension.
Signs of tyre sidewall damage
You should regularly inspect your tyres, checking if their pressure and tread depth is correct and looking for signs of deterioration or wear which could indicate that your tyres are reaching their end of life and need to be replaced. In particular, you should always check your tyres after any type of unexpected impact, such as hitting a pothole, an exposed manhole cover or a pavement.
You should look for indications of damage, such as scratches, bulges, cracks and cuts. Be very conscious that the damage may be on the inner sidewall so use a torch underneath the car to check the tyres from all directions.
Light surface scratches rarely pose a safety risk but if you have any concerns, you can book a free tyre check at your local Protyre garage where our expert fitters will inspect the tyre and offer professional advice to reassure you.
Bulges are a very serious type of sidewall tyre damage and can be identified by a bubble like appearance. It is quite common for tyres to develop a bulge after a hard impact with a solid surface such as a pavement, manhole cover or the sharp edge of a pothole. If you experience this type of damage to a tyre sidewall then you should book your car in for a tyre replacement at the earliest opportunity as it poses a serious safety risk.
Cracks in a tyre sidewall can occur as a tyre ages and are a sign that the tyre is reaching its end of life and the rubber is becoming brittle. Cracks can also indicate age-related wear or can be caused by impact with a sharp or hard object. If a crack is visibly deep or the carcass ply is exposed, you should stop driving and have the tyre replaced as quickly as possible as it could lose pressure or blow out at any point. Read this news article to get more details on If your tyres are worn, bald, flat or bulging, they’re dangerous
Can sidewall of tyre damage be repaired?
Unfortunately tyre sidewall damage cannot be repaired. This is because damage to the structure of the tyre is considered a serious safety fault, and so the damaged tyre must be replaced, even if it is still within legal tread depth limits. Luckily, your local Protyre garage offers a comprehensive offering of tyres to suit all cars and budgets.
FAQs: Preventing and Repairing Tyre Sidewall Damage
Unfortunately even the most expensive tyre can succumb to sidewall damage when impact with a solid or sharp surface occurs. From the basic budget tyre to the top of the range Pirelli, all tyres are designed to satisfy the same safety standards and are susceptible to the same types of damage.
You should avoid using abrasive cleaning products on your tyres, check the tread depth and tyre pressure regularly and always keep a keen eye out for hazards in the road. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to your tyres.
If you have any concerns about the safety or structural integrity of your tyres, you can always consult the experts at your local Protyre Garage. Book a free tyre check online at a time and garage location to suit you and you will soon be back on the road and driving along with confidence.
The legal minimum depth for your tyres is 1.6mm across the central width and around the complete circumference. This is the lower limit of what is legal and safe; our tyre professionals recommend replacing at 3mm . Tyres with only 1.6mm tread depth will take an extra two car lengths - 8 metres - to stop at fifty miles per hour, as compared to a tread of 3mm.