Do I need to get this fixed

[Bill_H_Pike]

I noticed my front passenger tire has some missing rubber. The tire is holding its pressure, but I'm concerned it might be a safety issue.. Any Advice?

 

[Disaster]

Woe!!! Serious curb rash there. You must have rubbed the tire up against something with a sharp edge. I doubt you will have a problem, as there is a bit of extra rubber on sidewalls and they real work is done by the fabric and belts done under that rubber.

I'd be more concerned with how it happened and not doing it again. When you scratch through the coating on alloy rims you open them to corrosion, especially if you drive in a state that uses a lot of salt on the roads. I've seen wheels destroyed in just a few seasons because clamp on wheel weights damaged the finish. If you drive where there is snow I suggest you clean up that area and apply a fresh coat of wheel paint to that area. They sell wheel repair paint at auto stores.

 

[STREETS]

Since the tire is what attaches the car to the pavement, I would surely replace for safety sake. When traveling down the highway with precious cargo at 70MPH, I wouldn't want to be wondering if that sidewall is "good enough". Spend the $180.00

 

[Dimitry]

If you notice the rim's damage, it aligns with the tire marks. I have a little mark on my left tire and rim from a curb too, there is that small chance of it going flat in the future sometime - TMPS will let you know.

Stay away from those curbs!

 

[michaeldallen]

Yes! Replace the tire!

I 'kissed' the curb with my right rear tire (a lot less rim damage than yours) and the tire blew a 2 inch hole in the side wall. I understand that the Dunlops have a thin side wall to begin with. Replace it.

 

[ctrcbob]

Per the rim damage. -- This is what happens when we use low profile tires.

 

[Gambler]

Sounds like a good excuse to upgrade tires to me. But if you are on a budget, I'd replace that one.

 

[Sayantsi]

It really depends on how hard you hit the curb. The damage looks cosmetic - if you just rubbed against a curb, there's nothing to worry about. if it was a high-speed impact, you could have damaged the sidewall and the tire may be susceptible to blowing out under pressure. It almost looks like you dropped off a curb.

Do you know how you damaged the tire? Rubbed a curb, or hit debris while driving? Tires are actually steel and corded fabric that are glued together, then covered with rubber, so its hard to know if you damaged the rubber shell or the actual tire. If you don't replace it, just keep an eye on it for any bulges that may appear - that is a sign that the substructure is failing and you'll need to replace it then.

Also, always replace tires in sets, at least two at a time. Depending on mileage, you could just order two new tires and replace the other two when they are at the wear marks.

 

[nearwater]

If you don't replace it, just keep an eye on it for any bulges that may appear - that is a sign that the substructure is failing and you'll need to replace it then.

True. Tire bubbles mean serious structural damage in the side wall and definitely requires to be replaced.
By looking at the picture, I don't think there's a bubble or bulging of any kind.
I'd have a tire shop take a look at it at the least.
Hopefully there isn't too much damage.

Dan

 

[MrB0462]

All such damage to the sidewall means you should replace the tire immediately. No one can guarantee that internal damage did not occur. If you went to a race track with that damage to the tire tech inspection woud make you change the tire.

You are putting yourself and others at risk

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Bill_H_Pike]

I've ordered another Dunlap from Tirerack.com. I only have 3500 miles on my car. Is it safe to replace just one?

 

[Gambler]

I've ordered another Dunlap from Tirerack.com. I only have 3500 miles on my car. Is it safe to replace just one?

Yes

 

[Genny46PM]

I've ordered another Dunlap from Tirerack.com. I only have 3500 miles on my car. Is it safe to replace just one?

Yes. Changing just one tire will not affect the vehicle dynamics.

 

[HeavyG]

I've ordered another Dunlap from Tirerack.com. I only have 3500 miles on my car. Is it safe to replace just one?

Shouldn't have any problems handling-wise, though it might mess you up when it comes time to replace the other three.