Tires may fail for a variety of reasons, including a design or manufacturing defect. But, other service conditions could contribute to a tire’s failure. It is imperative that the driver inspect his/her tires on a regular basis. A certified tire specialist should know how to identify a failing tire, but all drivers should know of these dangers, as well.
When inspecting a tire for characteristics of impending failure, it is important that all areas of the tire are inspected: the serial-side and non-serial side sidewalls, the tread, and the interior of the tire. The interior of a tire, however, can only be inspected by demounting the tire. A tire professional may have the best tools to effectuate the interior inspection. Specifically, a tire professional will need a spreader and a portable light. A tire professional needs to conduct in interior inspection from the bead, rotating all the way through to the other bead. A qualified tire professional should know to look for any cuts in either bead, using a spreader to determine if the cut is merely superficial or whether it is deep enough to expose the plies to air or moisture. If a cut is more than superficial, the tire needs to be scraped. Also, the tire professional should look for any signs of discolored or abraded rubber, as these conditions will help determine if the tire has been operated in an underinflated or overloaded condition. Under-inflation means the tire has been operated with less than the recommended air pressure. Overloading occurs when the vehicle’s cargo area has been used to transport heavy cargo in excess of the tire’s load carrying capacity. Operating tires in an overloading and/or under-inflation condition will increase the heat within the tire’s construction and possibly compromise the tire’s bonding integrity.
A tire professional or any driver can conduct an exterior tire inspection. A driver should first look at the tire’s bead – the portion of the tire that interacts with the tire’s rim. A driver should look for any cuts or tears to the bead. If a bead is cut or possesses a tear deep enough to expose the inner cords of a tire, the tire should be scraped. Moisture and air can invade the interior of the tire and compromise the tire’s bonding integrity. Once permitted into the interior of the tire, air wants to migrate outward, through any possible path. This migration can permit air to seep into the tire’s plies and/or belts. This migration, called intra-carcass pressurization, can compromise the bond within these areas of the tire, ultimately leading to a tire failure.
After inspecting the beads, a driver should look at the sidewalls of the tire – on both sides. Again, any cut or tear that is deep enough to expose the steel or fabric cord, the tire should be scraped. Finally, a driver should inspect the tire’s tread. All pebbles or other debris should be removed, and the area should be inspected for cuts or abrasions. Again, if the cut or abrasion is deep enough to expose the interior of the tire, the tire should be scraped.
Tires are the most vital part of a vehicle’s safety system, and, oftentimes, the most overlooked. A regular tire inspection should be included in any driver’s protocol for maintaining a safe vehicle.
Written by:
Guy L. Watts, II
Watts Guerra LLP
4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 3, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone (210) 447-0500
© Watts Guerra LLP 2015
