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Tire damage

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Driving in the rain last night, the driver to my left moved closer and closer, and eventually forced me off the driving lane and into a concrete curb. Not fun - but no major damage to the car - just the right front tire.

What do you think of this gouge?

IMG_1611.JPG


Is it "just a scratch"? or does the tire need immediate replacement?

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
NutmegCT said:
Driving in the rain last night, the driver to my left moved closer and closer, and eventually forced me off the driving lane and into a concrete curb. Not fun - but no major damage to the car - just the right front tire.

What do you think of this gouge?

View attachment 93692

Is it "just a scratch"? or does the tire need immediate replacement?

Thanks.
Tom M.
Click to expand...
My 2 cents…..
The sidewall is compromised so you need to replace it or face a possible blowout.
What was the driver on your left thinking?
 
Last edited:
Thanks Elliot. That's the plan.

What was the driver on your left thinking?

You mean ... Was the driver on your left thinking?

TM
 
A follow up - tire shops often say "you should always replace a pair of tires - never just one. Don't put a new tire on the same axle as the remaining old tire"

My tires are just one year old, with only 8K miles.

Thoughts? Just a sales gimmick?

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
Not really a sales gimmick, but I'd say it depends on circumstances. In your case I'd be comfortable (as would my wallet...) with only replacing the suspect tire. Then, when the other ages out, replace them both.
 
might even be worth looking for a lightly used tire if the brand is common
 
Thanks JP.
Michelin Primacy A/S 215/50R17

I've always been wary of used tires, unless there's a warranty. We'll see how this goes. Might even be covered by my car insurance - emphasis on *might*.
 
Gimmick. Replacing an 8K-mile tire with a new one should not be of any consequence. It's more of an issue with AWD vehicles, but even then the tire you're replacing is practically new. Me like Michelin too. Do you plan to repair the gouged wheel or replace or just leave it through winter.
 
Thanks gonzo. I hadn't thought of the scratched wheel, as it's just cosmetic. I'll probably just clean, sand down, and spray paint. Sound ok?
 
If they're on the non-driven axle, I'd be comfortable replacing just the one tire. Or, if they're on the driven axle, rotate them to the non-driven end and replace just the one. Or, if the new tire is going on the "power" wheel, I'd just floor the throttle a bunch for the first couple of weeks to even out the wear :p

My opinion is that the rule of replacing both tires was put forth because (A) people are cheap, ergo they go with the cheapest replacement tire they can find, not necessarily the same brand; (B) people are cheap, ergo they will keep one tire with 70k miles / 8 years on it and replace the other; (C) people (not you, or anyone else reading this of course) are often too stupid to buy the matching size!

Related: If you're ever used-car shopping, check that the tires are all 4 the same brand (and size), and that the date codes match, at least on each axle. Dealerships don't like pouring money into making their used cars just right, and tires is one area where they tend to cheap out (see A and B -- and sometimes C -- above).
 
If the tire seals on rim and hold air pressure, then proceed with your plan to spruce up the wheel. Sand down smooth and touch-up paint the gouged area is fine, then enjoy the drive.:driving:
 
Personally, I would replace that tire. If the others only have low milage I'd probably just replace the one. But I agree with Elliot - I'd definitely replace it and not risk a possible life-threatening blowout. Even if it's holding pressure now, that sidewall is compromised and the result of a blowout could be catastrophic. It's not worth the risk.
 
NutmegCT said:
Thanks gonzo. I hadn't thought of the scratched wheel, as it's just cosmetic. I'll probably just clean, sand down, and spray paint. Sound ok?
Click to expand...
You might want to call a few scrap yards and see if you can source an undamaged matching wheel. If it was just a scrape there hopefully isn't mechanical damage to the wheel, but I would want to inspect inside, around the bolt holes and of course make sure that the rim is actually straight.
 
NutmegCT said:
Driving in the rain last night, the driver to my left moved closer and closer, and eventually forced me off the driving lane and into a concrete curb. Not fun - but no major damage to the car - just the right front tire.

What do you think of this gouge?

View attachment 93692

Is it "just a scratch"? or does the tire need immediate replacement?

Thanks.
Tom M.
Click to expand...

Having spent enough years riding on sketchy tires (due to being really broke and still needing to get to work) - I can fully say that catastrophic failure is NOT fun. Unless you are riding the broke bus financially, I'd replace that thing. If you HAVE to run it, I'd put it on the back because losing a steering tire is way less fun than losing a rear tire (done both, 0 out of 5 stars would never recommend).

I always get the road hazard coverage when I buy new tires now - have had to use it frequently around here thanks to continual construction.
 
Woo Hoo - just found a new one at Tire Fair Tire, about ten miles away. Appointment at 1pm Friday. $169 + 35 mounting and road hazard coverage.

The online and telephone conversations were "interesting" ...

Thanks for all the help guys.
Tom M.
 
If it makes you feel better about the whole thing, the day I took deliver on my car in 2019 I didn't get 5 miles on one tire. Going home hit some bit of debris and cut the sidewall. In that instance, just got one since the nubs hadn't even worn down yet.
 
mikephillips said:
If it makes you feel better about the whole thing, the day I took deliver on my car in 2019 I didn't get 5 miles on one tire. Going home hit some bit of debris and cut the sidewall. In that instance, just got one since the nubs hadn't even worn down yet.
Click to expand...
I popped a tire hitting a pot hole during a test drive. Still bought the car.
 
My wife got rear-ended driving to work the morning after buying her car. The odometer hadn't turned 30 miles yet.

And Bob, I might be able to beat you:
While working at a VW dealership in the late 90s, a brand-new New Beetle was towed into the shop. It didn't even have plates on it. It was crashed on the test drive. The NB had just been released and there was a lot of hype, which created a shortage. The story was that we only had manual transmissions in stock, and the customer didn't know how to drive a manual. "No problem." the salesperson (allegedly) said, "I'll teach you!" They pulled out of the lot, the customer panicked, and they went bounding over the median. Cracked the oil pan, broke at least one wheel rim, bent the unibody... IIRC, the car had to be totalled with zero miles on it.
 
"No problem"

Famous last words ...
 
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