Must cracked tire grooves be replaced?
4 Answers
Tire groove cracking indicates that the tire has aged and can no longer be used, requiring immediate replacement. Precautions for tire replacement: Choose the right tire: The specifications of the tire must match the other tire on the same axle. Replace the valve stem as well: After replacing the tire, the aging cycle of the new tire and the valve stem may differ. During the new tire's cycle, the valve stem may develop issues. New tires are best installed on the rear axle: If more worn tires are placed on the rear axle, it reduces the rear wheels' drainage capability, thereby increasing the risk of driving in rainy conditions. Tires with the following conditions should not be used further: The tire is worn out. Tires have tread wear indicators with a height of 1.6 mm (the legal minimum groove depth). Using worn tires on wet roads can cause "hydroplaning," increasing the risk of losing control. The tire is damaged. Hitting curbs, falling into potholes, or punctures from nails can severely damage tires. Damaged tires may be repairable, but only professional repair shops can accurately determine whether a tire can be repaired or needs replacement. The tire has aged. If tread deformation or significant cracking is observed, stop using these tires immediately and have them inspected by a professional repair shop to determine if they can still be used. The tire has bulges. Tire bulges are a high-risk factor for blowouts, especially on highways. Tires with bulges should be replaced promptly.
When it comes to tire groove cracks, my neighbor Old Wang from the auto repair shop is particularly knowledgeable. Last week, my tire also cracked, and he used a screwdriver to point at the grooves, saying: 'Bro, look, if a coin can fit into these longitudinal cracks along the grooves, the tire's internal cord layers are likely aged and damaged. Especially if the cracks on the rear tires connect into patches, you could easily skid when taking sharp turns in the rain at high speeds.' He advised me to check the spare tire as well, since rubber naturally cracks after five years of non-use. Tire repair technicians know best—when radial cracks appear at the edges of the tread blocks, it means the rubber has lost its elasticity, and emergency braking distance can increase by over 30%.'
Just got off the phone with my cousin who does long-distance freight hauling. He's particularly experienced in dealing with tire cracks. Truck drivers never take such issues lightly. Last time, his teammate ignored fine cracks near the wheel hub, which resulted in a tire blowout on the highway. He reminded me to use a flashlight to inspect the inner side of the tire during checks, as many fine cracks aren't visible from the outside. If spiderweb-like cracks appear on the tire sidewall, it must be stopped immediately, as such cracks often reach deep into the internal steel belt layer. One year, seven tires in his fleet were judged by roadside repair shops as 'still usable,' but they were all retreaded tires with cracks.
I remember the driving school instructor yelling at the top of his lungs: 'If the tread cracks exceed the width of four fingers, you must replace them!' They deal with accident vehicles all year round and have seen too many rollovers caused by tire issues. On the training grounds, you can often find chunks of tread that have flown off—all consequences of continuing to use cracked tires. Some students come to learn driving in old cars covered in cracks, and even ABS couldn't prevent the car from veering when they slammed on the brakes. The driving school now mandates inspections of training vehicle tires—any with tread depth less than 3mm or with penetrating cracks are immediately taken out of service.
