Can a tire with a notch on the side still be used?

[DelViolet]

Whether a tire with a notch on the side can still be used depends on the specific situation: 1. If the notch has already been damaged or has affected the internal cord material, it cannot be used; 2. If the notch has not affected the cord material, it can still be used. A tire is a circular elastic rubber product assembled on various vehicles or machinery for rolling contact with the ground. The functions of a tire are: 1. To ensure good ride comfort and driving smoothness for the vehicle; 2. To mitigate the impact received during driving; 3. To ensure good adhesion between the wheel and the road surface, improving the vehicle's traction, braking, and passability; 4. To bear the weight of the vehicle.

[StDonovan]

As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've seen too many accidents caused by tire issues, so I must warn you: a cut on the tire sidewall is indeed very dangerous. The sidewall only has a thin layer of rubber without internal steel belt reinforcement, making it prone to tearing or blowing out under pressure. If that cut is several millimeters deep or exposes the cord layer, replace the tire immediately—don't delay. Sudden air loss at high speeds is no trivial matter and can easily lead to loss of control and serious accidents. Even if the cut is small, it's best to drive slowly to a repair shop for inspection rather than risking it on the road. Safety should always come first—spending money on a new tire is a hundred times better than repairing a car or dealing with an accident. Make it a habit to check your tires monthly to prevent problems before they arise.

[CalebLee]

I remember last year when my car tire had a small cut on the sidewall, I initially ignored it and kept driving to work. A few days later, while on the highway, it nearly blew out, which was terrifying. Since then, I've learned my lesson: the sidewall is the weakest part of a tire, and any cut can worsen due to heat expansion. Even if it looks small on the surface, it could hide a major risk. I suggest you first visually inspect the size of the cut and feel it with your fingers to check for smoothness. If it's deeper than 2 millimeters or you feel something hard, stop using the tire immediately. If it's shallow, you might drive slowly for short distances to get it repaired. But don't take risks like I did—now I regularly check my tires to minimize wear.

[DelStephanie]

Having been in the repair business for over a decade, I've seen numerous cases of tire sidewall damage: often the beginning of an accident. With the rubber protection missing on the side, it's prone to air leakage and aging. If you can see the cord or fabric layer damaged, it's time to replace the tire. When inspecting, use a ruler to measure the depth—anything over 3mm is a warning sign. I always tell customers that small gaps might be temporarily patched with adhesive, but it's not safe, especially for long-distance driving. It's best to have a professional shop diagnose it with tools—don't skimp on this. Tire lifespan and driving speed both affect the risk; safe driving starts with the details.