Can You Still Drive with a Crack on the Side of a Run-Flat Tire?

[DelaneyLee]

Automotive run-flat tires typically use steel-belted construction, consisting of an inner tube and an outer tire. For truck tires, if the outer tire has cracks, whether they can continue to be used depends on the situation. Minor scratches do not affect usability, and small-scale cracking due to aging can still be used safely for a short period. However, for buses using semi-steel-belted tires, timely replacement is necessary if cracking occurs. If there is a crack on the outer side of a car tire but no air leakage, the decision to replace it can be based on the actual usage environment. If there is a large crack on the outer side of the tire, this poses a significant safety threat to normal driving, and the entire tire must be replaced. The strongest part of a tire is the tread. Below the tread are the belt stabilizer layer, steel reinforcement layer, cord layer, and airtight layer. This area consists of thick, high-quality rubber, with raised tread patterns for water drainage and increased friction. The multiple reinforcement layers make it resistant to damage, while the airtight layer ensures no gas leakage, maintaining tire pressure.