Just cut my tire, is it still ok to drive?

[mach1 03]

I have had my tires on and the car lowered for almost two years and have never had a problem with the tires rubbing, until today. I was backing out of a driveway and felt it hit the fender and when I got out to check i find that it has put a big gash in the tire. The last picture is the chunk of tire that was stuck to the fender. Is it safe to still drive it like this?

[Explosive]

If it were me I'd buy a tire.

[Bill Hamilton]

Take it to a tire shop and get their opinion (of course they will say you need a new tire). You sure took some life and miles off that tire. Depending on how high up on the side wall it's ripped it may be weaken enough to blow if you drive it at high speed or it may last a few thousand more miles. It looks like it's closer to the tread and may not have damaged the sidewall too much I'd take it easy but be prepare to buy a new tire. :eyes:

[mach1 03]

That's what I was afraid of. As far as I can tell the cut is all in the tread and does not go onto the actual sidewall, if that makes a difference. I only drive it about 1500-2k miles a year, so if I took some life off that is not a big deal. my concern is if it weakened the tire to the point that I could have a blow out, especially at higher speeds. BTW the gash is about 4-5 inches long (hard to tell in the picture).

[my fear]

the tire looks fine all you did was cut a little rubber off the tire. i work at discount tire and see that all the time. you will be fine. when you need to worry is when it got cut if you see white nylon cords inside the cut then you need a new tire.

[311-420]

You're fine.

[halemach1]

Tire is fine. I would probably go get it rebalanced tho.

[24kmach]

Thanks for making up my mind on lowering my car.:eek::worship::23:

[mach1 03]

Thanks for the responses guys. I looked at it again and the picture looks worse than it does in person. Based on everyone's response and my opinion, I think I am just going to keep an eye on it (make sure it does not get worse) for the time being. I have a guy at Mr tire that has always treated me good and is always honest with me, so i am going to take it to him just to get another opinion if it is safe or not.

[mach1 03]

the tire looks fine all you did was cut a little rubber off the tire. i work at discount tire and see that all the time. you will be fine. when you need to worry is when it got cut if you see white nylon cords inside the cut then you need a new tire.

That's reassuring. I'll have to remember that you work there. that is where i got these tire from and the place i will buy my next set from.

[halemach1]

Keep in mind you cut the tire at the thickest possible point. the tire is over 3/4" thick at that point. You did not really damage the tire at all.

[mach1 03]

Thanks for making up my mind on lowering my car.:eek::worship::23:

This is the first time I have had a problem. I can tell you that before the next set go on I will roll the fenders just to be safe. The car looks great lowered with 295 tires out back. I thought i was safe with the 295 (I was going to go with 305 or 315) but apparently not. I definitely would recommend rolling the fenders before lowering it with wider tires on. live and learn I guess.

[03BumbleBee]

Thanks for making up my mind on lowering my car.:eek::worship::23:

Good call, Russ.

[White04Mach]

I've drove on worse.

[mach1 03]

I've drove on worse.

How long did you drive it and did you have any problems?

[White04Mach]

How long did you drive it and did you have any problems?

Had a set of used Nitto drag radials with a cut about that deep half way around the tire from hitting the fender lips. Ran them a few thousand miles, including some 1/4 mile passes, and never had any problems. Guess it just depends on what your comfortable with. Hell I used to run them to the cords in highschool and not think twice about it.