What does tire buffing mean?
2 Answers
Buffing a tire refers to the process of grinding off the white barcode on the tire's bead area. A tire with its trademark ground off is not a genuine product. These tires are typically those that were identified as problematic during factory inspections. Some may still be usable, but they are not covered by the three-guarantee policy, meaning the manufacturer will not be responsible for any issues that arise. Essentially, these are substandard tires. Here is some additional information: Tire defects: Generally speaking, apart from tires that fail factory self-inspections due to defects, buffed tires from other sources are of the same quality as genuine tires but lack the three-guarantee coverage. Factories refer to defective tires that pass inspection as "utilizable tires," which may have minor flaws such as uneven rubber distribution, excessive dynamic balance deviation, or skipped stitches. These defects are usually visible upon visual inspection.
I've been driving for almost ten years, and those small raised wear indicators on tires are not to be overlooked. Located on the tire tread, each has a depth of only 1.6 millimeters, serving as a reminder of wear level. If they're worn flat, it means the tires need replacing. The reason is simple: reduced grip, increased risk of hydroplaning in rain, and even higher chances of a blowout. Every time I wash my car, I squat down to check them, using a coin to measure. If the indicators disappear, it's time to get new tires. Don't slack off—safety comes first. If you find the indicators completely worn out but keep driving, braking distance on highways will lengthen, and steering will feel unstable, which is no joke. Remember, regular checks can save your life.
