Sidewall damage can have serious implications for the safety and performance of the tire. Chipped or cut sidewall rubber can weaken the tire's structure, leading to a potential blowout or a sudden loss of air pressure.
Can you drive on a tyre with a damaged sidewall? The short answer is no, you should not drive your vehicle if any of the tyre sidewalls are damaged, unless driving to have the problem fixed.
How Much Tire Sidewall Damage Is Ok? Sidewall damage is not Ok in any condition, if the sidewall has a minor cut or any loss of a tire, you will need to go to a professional or tire shop to inspect or repair your sidewall of the tire, but at any stage, you need to replace your tire when you have sidewall damage.
If the hole is small and located in the tread, it should be easy to patch. If the hole is large or located in the sidewall, an automotive shop may be able to plug the tire if there isn't too much air escaping. Once the repair is complete, you can continue driving on the tire.
The limit is 50 miles just right after the tire got punctured. However, you must prepare for any potential damage to your car. However, flat tires shouldn't be driven long distances. You'll risk damaging your vehicle more, notably the wheels, brakes, and other parts such as your suspension and steering system.
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.
Fixing Damage in the Sidewall
If you have a leak, hole or tear in your sidewall as opposed to your tread, you should not repair it with a patch. The thinness of the sidewall gives little material for a patch to adhere to, and the damage to the sidewall leaves the tire structurally compromised.
If you notice any tears, cuts, nicks, bubbles or bulges in the tyre sidewall, it's normally a sign of serious damage to the tyre's structure. This means that you and those around you are at risk of a serious accident, typically caused by a tyre blowout.
The puncture is within the tread area* of the tire – sidewall punctures are NOT repairable.
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.
The slash is on the sidewall: You can only repair a tire slash if the slash is on the tread. If it's on the sidewall instead, it's best to replace your tire instead of repairing it. The slash is very large: If the tire slash is longer than a fourth of the tire's diameter, the slash is too large to repair.
Unfortunately, sidewall punctures on passenger or light truck tires can't be repaired. That's because: The patch won't hold - Tires have cords that run all around the tread of the tire, the part the makes contact with the road. But on the sidewall, those cords aren't there.
A sidewall separation is the result of underinflation followed by an impact to the sidewall, typically a pothole or curb. The low tire pressure weakens the sidewall and allows permeation of air to enter the affected area causing a bubble effect as pictured here.
Again, the punctures shouldn't be close to the sidewall, with ¼ inches (6 mm) the closest you can go. On other tires, though, manufacturers don't recommend patching punctures within 1 inch (24 mm) of the sidewall or the edge of the tread.
Puncture repairs are limited to the center of the tread area. If there are punctures or damage in the shoulder or sidewall of the tire, it is not repairable.
If the tire has a cut or gash, it can only be repaired if it's less than a quarter-inch in length. If the tire is worn and has less than 2/32-inch remaining tread depth, it is unsafe to repair and must be replaced.
The sidewall of the tyre is the part which absorbs the pressure and assists in the car remaining stable. However, any cuts, bulges, tears or cracks in the sidewall can be a sign of serious tyre damage – and will be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MOT test without exception.
Tire sidewalls vary in thickness from the shoulder area to the bead area. In the thinnest part, typically in the middle to upper area, most sidewalls are between 6- and 15-mm thick – about 1/4- to 5/8-inch thick.
There must be no damage to the tyre body - sidewalls or tread, no bulges or cuts. The energy lost when a tyre is moving is known as 'rolling resistance'.
A tire with multiple clean, straight cut marks has most likely been slashed, while a blown tire will have a jagged, irregular wound. If your tire has multiple clean, straight wounds along the tire wall, it has probably been slashed.
This destructive behavior can be motivated by a range of underlying factors, including anger, frustration, revenge, jealousy, or a desire for control. One of the most common reasons why people slash tires is as a form of retaliation against someone who has wronged them.
A loud popping noise or a zipper-like sound can be heard when a tire gets slashed. If the opening is big enough to allow for the pouring air, it can blow up and make a popping noise.
It's the air inside the tire that gives it strength to support a huge vehicle, not the sidewalls. That means it's quite possible to sustain a cut or gash in the sidewall that leads to a flat tire. Making sure you've got the correct tire pressure will help maximize the toughness of your tire's sidewalls as well.
Tyre Condition
To be considered roadworthy your tyres must be free from cuts, cracks, bulges and any signs of perished rubber.