Does a Scratched Tire Have Any Impact?

[LeCorey]

If only a small portion of the tire sidewall surface is scratched and the depth is shallow, it will not affect the structural strength of the tire. Below are specific details about car tires: 1. Car Tires: Car tires are one of the essential components of a vehicle, directly in contact with the road surface. Together with the car suspension, they help absorb shocks encountered during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smooth driving. They also ensure excellent adhesion between the wheels and the road, improving the vehicle's traction, braking, and off-road capability, while bearing the weight of the car. 2. Replacement Cycle: Typically, tires have a service life of 3-5 years, meaning they generally need to be replaced after driving for 3-5 years or approximately 60,000-80,000 kilometers. However, specific requirements depend on driving conditions, temperature, tire pressure, and driving habits, as tire wear varies under different circumstances, leading to different replacement cycles.

[WalkerAnn]

Last week when I was reversing, the side of my tire scraped against the curb and tore open a two-centimeter-long gash on the spot. The mechanic pointed at the white cords exposed in the sidewall crack and warned: 'This kind of broken carcass ply means you must change the tire immediately!' He said the tire sidewall is like dumpling skin—the thinnest and most fragile part. Once it bulges or cracks, the internal steel wires repeatedly bend during high-speed driving, risking a blowout any minute. Now when I drive and see cracks, I detour around them. After all, spending 600 yuan on a new tire is better than losing control on the highway. If the scrape isn’t deep and doesn’t expose the cords, you can manage by applying soapy water (no bubbles mean it’s sealed), but you’ll need to monitor the tire pressure daily to avoid leaks.

[KaydenAnn]

Last month, I scraped off a rubber piece the size of a fingernail while turning in a narrow alley and didn’t think much of it initially. After a long-distance drive, I noticed a bulge the size of a quail egg where the scrape had occurred! A seasoned mechanic removed the tire and soaked it in water, and bubbles emerged from the bulging spot, indicating broken tire wall cords. Now, I’m particularly sensitive to tire damage. Here’s a quick detection method: insert a coin vertically into the damaged area—if the depth exceeds the height of the crenellations on the coin’s Great Wall pattern, it’s time to replace the tire. Also, avoid using corrosive cleaners on the tire walls during car washes, as aged rubber is more prone to damage. Remember to check tire pressure and keep it below 2.8 bar, as excessive pressure can cause old damages to rupture.

[SanXavier]

Last week, a piece of rubber was scraped off my front right tire. The mechanic measured it with a caliper and said the depth was only 1.5mm, so no need to replace it. He taught me that the location of the damage is most critical: minor scrapes on the tread grooves are fine, but damage near the rim edge on the tire sidewall is the most dangerous. Now when driving, I always feel the steering wheel shaking. Yesterday, I went for a wheel balance check and sure enough, the rim was deformed! It's advised to always check if the rim is out of round after a tire scrape, especially for aluminum alloy rims which are prone to deformation upon impact. Also, keep an eye on the tire pressure monitor. I installed external sensors and noticed that the scraped tire always has 0.1bar lower pressure than the others.

[MayaRose]

Last winter, I scraped three shallow marks on my tire sidewall but skipped replacement to save money. This year during heavy rain, the damaged area suddenly hissed and leaked while crossing water! The auto repair guy said aged rubber acts like dried-out erasers—water seeps into wounds. Now I use tire protectant to delay cracking, but avoid applying it on the tread to maintain grip. A pro tip: check if scars lie in the ground-contact pressure zone when parked, as repeated compression there accelerates splitting. Regularly clear stones lodged in tread grooves—last time, a tiny rock wedged perfectly into an old wound, nearly expanding the crack.