Should a scratched tire sidewall be replaced?

[SanHolden]

Vehicle tires are generally recommended to be replaced every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers. As long as there are no obvious cracks or aging marks on the tire surface, you can check the distance between the wear indicators in the main drainage grooves and the wear layer. There are also triangular wear indicators on the tire crown. If the wear position is almost level with the wear indicators in the drainage grooves or the wear indicators on the crown, it means the tire needs to be replaced. Below is an introduction about tires: 1. If you want better noise reduction and comfort: It is recommended to choose Michelin. If you prefer better wear resistance and handling, consider Pirelli, Goodyear, or Bridgestone. For balanced performance, Continental is a good choice. Michelin and Continental use silica as an additive, which enhances comfort and noise reduction, while other brands typically use carbon black. If the scratch is on the tire sidewall, examine the deepest part of the damage. If the cords are visible, the tire must be replaced immediately. 2. If the cords are not visible: Monitor the area for any bulging in the following days. If a bulge appears, the tire must be replaced. If there is no bulging and the cords are not visible, and only a small cut is present in the sidewall rubber, you can drive to a tire shop to have the damaged area repaired.

[AriannaFitz]

Tire sidewall scratches are something I've seen a lot in decades of driving, and I feel they must be taken seriously. If the scratch is deep, for example, if you can see the inner cords or steel wires, the internal structure of the tire is compromised. At high speeds, increased pressure raises the risk of a blowout, which is extremely dangerous. Last year, one of my cars had a deep scratch that I ignored, and it ended up leaking and blowing out on a suburban road, costing me much more in repairs. Minor scratches might still be usable, but you need to check them daily for changes—the sidewall is weak, and wear accelerates noticeably. If you find a scratch, I recommend going straight to a professional shop and letting a technician inspect it—don’t try to save a little money. Make it a habit to check tire pressure and wear during routine maintenance every quarter to prevent further issues. Safety should always come first. On the road, tires are your lifeline—you can’t afford to overlook the details.

[Murphy]

From a young car owner's perspective, sidewall scratches on tires are quite common. I also struggled with whether to replace them when I first started driving. The key is to check the depth of the damage: superficial scratches like those from scraping against curbs might be manageable, but deeper cuts that expose internal materials absolutely require a new tire, as the sidewall loses its structural integrity and can blow out on bumpy roads. A friend of mine learned this the hard way—he tried to save money by not replacing it, and the tire burst on the highway, nearly causing a rollover. Now, my approach is simple: inspect any scratch immediately. For minor ones, I check monthly to see if they spread; for deep ones, I don’t hesitate—I head straight to the shop. Investing a few hundred bucks in a new tire is far cheaper than the cost of an accident. Safety comes first. I make it a habit to glance at my tire condition every time I wash the car—it’s a small routine that could save your life.

[VonHarper]

Experience in the tire industry, customers often ask about sidewall scratches. We inspect by touch and sight: if the wound is deep enough to expose the fabric or damage the structure, the tire must be replaced and cannot be repaired; surface scratches can be observed but remind to pay attention to tire pressure monitoring. The sidewall has no reinforcement layer, and any damage weakens it. It might be okay for city roads, but the risk doubles on highways. It is recommended to bring the car in for a free evaluation, don't judge it yourself. Rotating positions during maintenance and regular wear checks can extend tire life, safety is never taken lightly.

[DelCharlie]

As a mom driver, tire safety is my top concern, especially when shuttling kids around. For sidewall scratches, severity matters: shallow scratches might allow continued use but require daily monitoring for spreading; deep ones or cracks exposing internal layers mean immediate replacement—no delays. The sidewall is thin, and damage here is serious, increasing risks on bumpy roads. Once, I had a shallow scrape in a supermarket parking lot and drove for another month without replacing it, but it was nerve-wracking. Now my rule is to get any scratch checked at a professional shop. For family safety, spending a bit on new tires is worthwhile, and it’s good to develop a monthly habit of checking tire pressure.