Can a tire with a small chunk of rubber missing be used normally?
3 Answers
Tire sidewall with a small chunk missing can generally continue to be used as long as the inner cord layer is not exposed and only the rubber is damaged. If the damage is very small and shallow, it may be ignored. However, if the damage is deep, it is advisable to replace the tire for safety. Introduction to Tubeless Tires: Tubeless tires, also known as "low-pressure tires" or "pneumatic tires," have high elasticity and wear resistance, along with good adhesion and heat dissipation performance. Particularly, all-steel radial tubeless tires are economical and durable. Applications of Tubeless Tires: In recent years, tubeless tires have been increasingly used in bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses, and trucks.
Last week when I was parking, my tire scraped against the curb and a rubber-sized chunk came off the sidewall. At first I thought it was minor, but after researching I realized with alarm: tire sidewalls only have one layer of fabric plus rubber, and once damaged they're prone to bulging or even blowouts. I immediately drove to the repair shop where the mechanic used a strong light to inspect it and said while the inner cords weren't broken, the damage exceeded 2mm in depth, recommending replacement for safety. Now during my commute I constantly monitor tire pressure, especially since wet weather makes sidewall damage more likely to cause skidding. This isn't money to save - a highway blowout is no joke. From now on I'll steer clear of curbs, even if it means extra maneuvering - never risking tire contact again.
My old car has a small patch of rubber scraped off the right front tire, about the size of a fingernail, and it's been fine for three months. But every weekend, I squat down to check if the damage has expanded and if the tire pressure is normal. The key with such minor damage lies in its location: if it's on the thicker tread, it might hold, but if it's on the thinner sidewall, it's dangerous. During the last maintenance, the mechanic said as long as the cords aren't damaged, it's okay to monitor, but advised avoiding long highway trips and keeping the speed under 100 km/h. For daily commutes, I drive slower, even reducing speed to 20 km/h over speed bumps. Also, I was told not to use tire sealant on the wound as it can corrode the rubber. Now, every time I wash the car, I ask the attendant to pay extra attention to the tires and replace them immediately if there's any sign of bulging.
