What to Do If the Side of the Tire Is Cut?
2 Answers
If the cords are not damaged, it can be used for short trips in the city, but not on highways. When the sidewall of the tire cannot withstand excessive pressure, it may lead to a blowout. If a small cut on the side of the tire damages the cords, it should be replaced immediately. You can perform a pressure test by increasing the standard tire pressure by 1-2 kg, then driving briefly to raise the tire temperature and observe whether the cut changes or bulges.
If I notice a cut on the side of my tire, my first thought is the importance of safe driving. I would immediately slow down, pull over, turn on the hazard lights, and find a safe spot. The sidewall of a tire is the weakest part, not as sturdy as the tread, and a large cut can lead to a blowout at high speeds, which is dangerous. I would carefully inspect the depth of the damage: a small scratch might be fine, but a deep cut means I should definitely not drive any further and need to address it right away. I would try to change to the spare tire—having an emergency toolkit on hand helps—but if I don't know how, I'd call for roadside assistance to arrange a tow. Patching a sidewall cut isn't viable; a new tire is necessary. In daily driving, I try to avoid scraping tires against curbs or sharp objects and make a habit of glancing at the tires when parking to prevent issues. If this happens on the highway at night, it's safer to stay in the car and wait for help rather than risk handling it myself.
