How deep is the sidewall scratch allowed for BMW tires?
2 Answers
BMW tires allow sidewall scratches up to 4mm. Scratches exceeding 4mm require replacement. Sidewall scratches increase the risk of tire blowouts: When the tire sidewall is damaged, there's a high probability of damaging the radial ply. Once the radial ply is compromised, the entire tire structure loses protection and the tire may burst at any time. When parking, be careful not to get too close to the curb as this can cause uneven friction on the sidewall. Over time, this may lead to bulges or scratches, increasing the risk of tire blowouts. Sidewall scratches affect safety: If the tire sidewall is cut, especially when damaging the cord ply, it completely breaks the structural stress of the sidewall, significantly increasing the risk of safety accidents.
I've been driving a BMW X5 for over three years, and tire sidewall damage is really annoying. I remember once accidentally scraping the curb while parking, leaving a shallow scratch on the sidewall. After checking some information, the general safe depth is no more than 2mm. The sidewall is the most vulnerable part of the tire, containing the cord ply. Once deeply scratched, the structure is compromised, and with significant pressure changes during high-speed driving, it's prone to blowouts. The BMW official manual states that any sidewall damage requires professional evaluation, but I recommend going directly to a repair shop to measure the depth—a simple caliper can do the job. If not replaced promptly, driving in the city might be okay, but highway risks increase significantly. That time, I measured the scratch at 1.5mm with no cracks, but seeing some whitening inside, I opted for a new tire for peace of mind. Regular tire inspections can prevent accidents, especially not overlooking wear marks on the sidewalls. Safety first—don't risk big losses for small savings.
