At what depth of sidewall scratches should tires be replaced?
1 Answers
Tires should be replaced when sidewall scratches reach a depth of 4mm. The rubber thickness on tire sidewalls generally does not exceed 1cm. If the scratch is not severe and hasn't damaged the tire's cord layer, it may continue to be used even if exceeding 4mm. However, if the internal cord layer in the sidewall is compromised, the tire must be replaced even if the scratch is under 4mm, otherwise there's a risk of blowout. Tire wear correlates with vehicle speed - higher speeds cause more severe wear. Road surface quality also directly affects friction between tires and ground. Poor road conditions increase tire-ground sliding, accelerating tire wear.