What to Do if the Sidewall of a BMW 5 Series Tire is Damaged?
2 Answers
If the sidewall of a BMW 5 Series tire is damaged, it needs to be replaced because the sidewall is the weakest part of the tire. Therefore, drivers should take extra care to avoid sidewall damage during daily use. Be particularly cautious when driving over curbs or road edges to protect the sidewall—avoid not only frontal impacts but also side scrapes, as side impacts can be even more damaging to the tire than frontal ones. Once the sidewall sustains significant damage, it can greatly compromise the tire's performance. Forcing a repair and continued use poses serious safety risks. Hence, replacing the tire is essential to ensure safety. How to distinguish the inside and outside of a tire: Look for the words "INSIDE" and "OUTSIDE" on the tire, as well as the production date. "INSIDE" indicates the inner side, "OUTSIDE" the outer side, and the production date is marked on the outer side. Tire replacement cycle: Generally, it is recommended to replace vehicle tires every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers. If there are no obvious cracks or signs of aging on the tire surface, check the distance between the wear indicators in the main tread grooves and the remaining tread depth. There are also triangular wear indicators on the tire crown. If the tread wear level aligns with the wear indicators in the grooves or the crown indicators, it means the tire needs to be replaced.
The sidewall damage on my BMW 5 Series tire is really frightening, I must pull over immediately and stop driving. Sidewall punctures are especially prone to blowouts, which could cause major accidents, particularly on highways. I remember a friend's car had a similar situation once - he didn't stop in time, resulting in a tire blowout that nearly caused loss of control. Need to find a safe place to park and assess the extent of damage. If it's just a minor scratch, I might be able to drive slowly to a repair shop, but large-scale damage is absolutely unacceptable. Using the spare tire is also an option - BMW 5 Series usually comes with spare tire tools, follow the manual for safe replacement. However, even run-flat tires can't protect against sidewall damage, so calling a tow truck to a professional shop for direct replacement is recommended. Safety outweighs everything else - don't risk driving to save some money. After repair, check the wheel rim and tire pressure to prevent future issues.
