What to Do with Minor Scratches on the Tire Sidewall?
2 Answers
Tire sidewall with minor scratches, it is recommended to replace the tire. Because the tire sidewall is the weakest part of the tire, and during normal vehicle operation, the deformation of the tire sidewall helps absorb minor road bumps. Due to the deformation of the sidewall, it cannot be repaired. More details are as follows: 1. Driving with a damaged sidewall without replacing the tire poses a risk of tire blowout, affecting safe driving. As the vehicle moves, the tire rubs against the ground. This friction generates heat, causing the air inside the tire to expand due to thermal expansion and contraction. The scratched area of the sidewall becomes thinner and cannot withstand the internal air pressure, leading to a blowout. A blowout significantly endangers vehicle safety. 2. Therefore, if there are cracks on the tire sidewall, it cannot be repaired, and the tire needs to be replaced as soon as possible. 3. When parking near the curb, always estimate the distance to the curb accurately. If the vehicle is too close, the sidewall may rub against the curb, resulting in scratches or bulges due to compression.
When I first got my driver's license, I accidentally scraped the tire against a curb, leaving a small scratch on the sidewall. It was nerve-wracking. I immediately took out my phone to take detailed photos, zooming in to check if any white cords were exposed or if there were bulges. After all, the sidewall is thin, and even a minor injury can be like a ticking time bomb—a blowout could cause the car to lose control, which would be disastrous. Later, I found a reliable auto repair shop. The mechanic used professional tools to check the depth and said that if the internal structure wasn't damaged, applying some tire wax for protection would suffice, but I needed to check the tire pressure daily to ensure it remained stable. Now I've learned my lesson: I try to avoid obstacles when parking and rotate the tires during maintenance to balance wear. This incident taught me that what seems like a minor issue can escalate into air leaks or deformation. At best, it wastes tires; at worst, it leads to accidents—definitely not worth the risk.
