What to Do When a Tire Has a Cut?
3 Answers
The solution for a tire with a cut depends on the extent of the damage: 1. If the cut has damaged the internal cord fabric or the tire is already ruptured, it is not recommended to repair it, and the tire should be replaced; 2. If the cut has not damaged the cord fabric, the tire can continue to be used, but it is necessary to regularly check whether the wound expands or the cords are damaged; 3. Regularly check the tire pressure and inflate according to the front and rear tire pressures recommended by the vehicle brand and the car manufacturer in collaboration with the tire manufacturer. Tire maintenance methods include: 1. Maintain the correct air pressure as required while driving; 2. Do not exceed the driving conditions under any circumstances; 3. Frequently check the condition of the tires; 4. Stop using the tire when it wears down to the tread wear indicator; 5. Avoid placing the spare tire near sunlight, oil, acid, or hydrocarbons.
I noticed a cut in my tire and was startled, so I immediately pulled over to prioritize safety. First, I checked the size and location of the cut: if it was a shallow crack or small hole on the tread and the tire pressure hadn’t completely dropped, I could drive slowly to the nearest repair shop for a fix. But if the cut was large and the tire was rapidly losing air, I’d switch to the spare tire and carefully move to a repair point. Never force driving—if a blowout happens at high speed and you lose control, the car could roll over, posing a serious danger. I usually pay attention to tire health, regularly checking tire pressure to avoid overheating and expansion cracks. In short, safety comes first. Getting it inspected and repaired promptly ensures peace of mind—don’t skimp on this small expense.
Seeing a cut on the tire, I immediately stopped to take a closer look. Small cracks might be temporarily patched before driving to the shop, but for deep cuts, it's safer not to take risks and switch to the spare tire. The mechanic said that if the cut is on the tire sidewall or deeper than 6mm, it's better to replace the tire, as patches may still leak. I've learned to check tire pressure and wear myself, performing regular maintenance to avoid aging cracks. After high-speed driving, it's even more important to inspect the tires to prevent hidden dangers from accumulating, as any accident could lead to worse losses.
