I hit a curb and scraped my tire's sidewall?

Question

I was pulling out of a very narrow street onto a busy road, and bumped into a granite curb.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4233/0723071045nr6.jpg

There's the damage. It isn't very deep, but I have no clue how thick the sidewall of this tire is. I've heard enough stories about people who have totaled their cars after one of the tires blew out, so I'm very nervous about this.

And is there any way to fix this other than replacing the tire?

Answer 1

The outer layer of rubber on the sidewall has actually only one function - to prevent damage to other, more important layers. The most important layer for safety folows deeper and consist of radial rayon threads with rubber inbetween to prevent friction between threads.
Real damage and real problem is when external object reaches this thread layer and cuts one or more of the threads. Then the shape of the tire cannot be maintained but you get a bulge (outwards) on the sidewall.

In my opinion what you have is almost nothing. I would suggest that you peel off the hanging rubber completely to prevent further chaffing.
Then carefully inspect the surface if you can see deeper cracks or already the threads themselves. The threads are definitely more than 3 mm deep in the sidewall and what you have is 1-2 mm.
You can drive and take a look at the tire from time to time - if you can notice any changes.

I had worse damage some years ago and I have used the car for another 30.000 km without any problem. After a while I even stopped to check the tire because there were no changes.

Three general remarks:
- it is possible to destroy threads without much visible damage on the sidewall
- there is one theory that max. 3 threads can be cut (corresponds to 3-5 mm of circumference) before you get a really big problem - accident
- the threads can fail later, if they suffered a bit of damage and it develops further

Answer 2

Sidewall Tire Damage

Answer 3

Tire Sidewall Damage

Answer 4

That looks more like cosmetic damage more than anything. I've replaced tires with large gashes in the sidewall that people have driven around for a while on. Since it looks like more rubber and none of the cords were ripped and there is no metal showing, just keep an eye on it. You may be running the risk of slight bulge in that spot because you compromised the integrity of the outer layer of rubber. It will not cause a blow out (per se) if you are careful, but the only way to really fix sidewall damage is to replace the tire.

Answer 5

Have the tire inspected by a tire shop.
Firestone, Sears, Walmart.
Appears to be just the outer rubber, not penetrated.
Sidewall damage cannot be repaired.

I can't imagine severe damage when just pulling out at a slow speed.

My daughter hit a curb on the freeway at highway speed. The tire wasn't damaged but the frame is bent at that wheel.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I hit a curb and scraped my tire's sidewall?
I was pulling out of a very narrow street onto a busy road, and bumped into a granite curb.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/4233/0723071045nr6.jpg

There's the damage. It isn't very deep, but I have no clue how thick the sidewall of this tire is. I've heard enough stories about...

Answer 7

The tire can't be "fixed", and it should be checked if 1) you get a shaky feeling in the steering wheel, or 2) you notice the tire looks flat or like it's losing air.
Be sure to look at that tire for a few days when you get in your car.

Answer 8

No, you cant fix that. you will have to get a new tire. But I would try taking it to a tire shop and see what they think.

Answer 9

if you don"t see any cut then you are okay. main reason tire blow out are cause by tire cracked not scratches cause by hitting the curb

Answer 10

I would get it replaced ASAP. In the mean time keep it properly inflated, and try to stay off the highways or at least under 55MPH.