Inspected tires, found damage

[stoopid]

Should I be concerned? It appears to be a flesh wound, more like a tear than impact.

 

[RM7]

Holy F yes. That is significant tire damage and the tire needs to be replaced. It may not come apart on you driving to the tire shop a few miles away at street-speeds, but something like that is just going to tear open more and more at faster speeds.

I mean not as bad as this tire that was being used in drift competition:

 

[hayagix]

That's ugly. Any wheel rash? Maybe a jagged pothole did that.

 

[stoopid]

Holy F yes. That is significant tire damage and the tire needs to be replaced. It may not come apart on you driving to the tire shop a few miles away at street-speeds, but something like that is just going to tear open more and more at faster speeds.

I can just barely pull back the little flap of rubber, maybe 1/8 inch. I'd hate to replace two tires for this. What if I pulled the loose bit off, so it can't catch wind and pull anymore? I think the sidewalls are fairly thick on most modern tires?

 

[stoopid]

That's ugly. Any wheel rash? Maybe a jagged pothole did that.

No other evidence of why this is here, it may have happened a long while ago. I don't inspect the tires that often. I wouldn't have even noticed if I didn't randomly pick this tire to get sizing/directional data from it.

My best guess is that there's a lot of rocks here, maybe it was the tip of a rock that caused the gash.

 

[RedCal]

Can't tell the depth from the picture, but sidewall damage would have me concerned

 

[stoopid]

Can't tell the depth from the picture, but sidewall damage would have me concerned

Agree, I moved the car a few inches to get better access to the gash and it's very superficial, so I think I'm fine. I pulled the tiny flap of rubber off to verify the crack only runs across the surface, not into the tire. There is also not anything punctured/stuck.

Thanks for the input folks, I think it's a matter of looking much worse than it is. I checked available stock locally for decent replacements, and because of a recent promo on many of the major brands, anything of the options I would replace with are fairly limited. It wouldn't be the best time, even if I was flush with cash to just do it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Not a chance that is minor. The rip goes all the way into the edge of the tread. My guess is that the belts are stressing apart already and the rubber is flexing, thus the rip. If this is just a surface blem, why is the vertical line background to "Michelin" distorted?

 

[stoopid]

Not a chance that is minor. The rip goes all the way into the edge of the tread. My guess is that the belts are stressing apart already and the rubber is flexing, thus the rip. If this is just a surface blem, why is the vertical line background to "Michelin" distorted?

I think it was a very pointed object that traveled at an angle upward and through the side, or a rock that didn't move and scraped upward. I did park this car in a fairly rough parking area outside of town 5 or 6 weeks ago.

I have lots of pictures now, and will check on it in a few days, and a few weeks, to see if the crack expands. If it doesn't, it's likely just ugly.

Also noted that the side of the removed flap area that has been exposed has a layer of grime on it, matching that of the rest of the tire's surface. I think this happened a while ago. The crack doesn't expand into the tire, there's no 'depth' to it.

Was worth being concerned about when I found it just now but the panic light has been turned off.

Appreciate everyone's concerned responses and feedback. Good to know you don't want me dead.

 

[RM7]

That's ugly. Any wheel rash? Maybe a jagged pothole did that.

That’s what drifting does to tires. They just basically drift race till they shred.

 

[ChaneRZ]

Have that changed asap!

 

[G70LEbyAdoom]

I think it was a very pointed object that traveled at an angle upward and through the side, or a rock that didn't move and scraped upward. I did park this car in a fairly rough parking area outside of town 5 or 6 weeks ago.

I have lots of pictures now, and will check on it in a few days, and a few weeks, to see if the crack expands. If it doesn't, it's likely just ugly.

Also noted that the side of the removed flap area that has been exposed has a layer of grime on it, matching that of the rest of the tire's surface. I think this happened a while ago. The crack doesn't expand into the tire, there's no 'depth' to it.

Was worth being concerned about when I found it just now but the panic light has been turned off.

Appreciate everyone's concerned responses and feedback. Good to know you don't want me dead.

You would be very much fitting of your username if you don't have that changed. Please get it swapped as soon as you can.

 

[stoopid]

You would be very much fitting of your username if you don't have that changed. Please get it swapped as soon as you can.

 

[Devin]

Blowouts suck. Especially at highway speed.

 

[killinghall]

There's no way I would keep driving with a tyre that has its sidewall compromised.

Get new tyres!

 

[NS_Stinger]

I'm all for being frugal but I'd change that tire.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Slap a tight strip of duct tape on it. I recommend Gorilla tape, as it is at least twice as thick as garden variety duct (or duck) tape. (I kid, of course, as this idea of running on it as-is has gone on too long already).

 

[stoopid]

My local Discount Tire [the shop nearest to me is particularly solid] can get the DWS06 Sport (Ultras?) in a few days time, so those are on their way.

I would have liked the Pilot A/S 4 but they're on perpetual backorder right now. Plus they cost more, and I've had continental DWS tires on a past vehicle which were good.

You better believe I bought the tire protection.

 

[Ozstung]

You run the risk as the tyre has been compromised, the integrity of the tyre has changed. Any untowards flex could increase the tear. A dangerous folly potentially.

 

[JSolo]

@Devin, going for 2 or all 4?