What to Do When a Small Piece of Rubber is Scratched Off the Car Tire?
2 Answers
For driving safety and peace of mind, it is best to have a professional inspection and treatment at a specialized tire repair shop. If you don't want to have it inspected and treated for the time being but still feel uneasy while driving, you can replace the damaged tire and use it as a spare tire. Whether it's a passenger car or a truck, try to avoid heavy loads, as a damaged tire will have reduced load-bearing capacity.
As an experienced city driver, I believe even a small rubber scrape on the tire requires careful attention. First, park and thoroughly inspect the location and depth of the damage: if it's just a shallow surface scratch on the tread without exposing the inner cords, it's generally safe to continue driving; but if the damage is on the sidewall or deep enough to reveal the cords, the risk of air leakage or blowout increases significantly and must not be ignored. A simple test is applying soapy water - bubbling indicates air leakage requiring repair or replacement. Driving habits matter too - avoid getting too close to curbs or running over hard objects as prevention. Scratches become more dangerous with older tires, so it's best to visually check tire pressure and appearance monthly. For repairs, visit professional shops for temporary glue patches on shallow damage to save costs, but deep damage requires immediate tire replacement to avoid catastrophic highway failures. Safety comes first - never compromise over minor savings.
