Common questions

What is a VSB sidewall?

What is a VSB sidewall?

Most tire makers produce tires with BSW (black sidewalls), while others make tires with BSB (broken serrated bands), VSB (vertical serrated bands) and BSL (black serrated letters). A European tire brand has an N- mark next to a number on the tire sidewall to signify that it was designed specifically for Porsche.

What does sidewall BSW mean?

Blackwall

Is it safe to drive on a tire with sidewall damage?

Is it safe to drive on a tire with sidewall damage? A sidewall tire damage is not safe to drive around with. The sidewalls of the tires are much more sensitive than the tread area. In many cases, the damage is damaging the whole structure of the tire, and it can cause it to blow at any moment.

Can you fix tire sidewall?

Why tires with punctured sidewalls can’t be repaired But on the sidewall, those cords aren’t there. So, there’s just no way for a plug to fill that hole. The patch won’t hold, and it’s going to continue to leak.

Is sidewall damage an MOT failure?

Any damage to your tyre sidewalls puts you at risk of a blowout, increasing the chances of a serious accident. If your tyres are found to have any sidewall damage, your vehicle will fail its MOT.

How do I know if my sidewall is damaged?

Symptom: bulge or bubble

  1. A bulge or bubble on the sidewall of a tire generally indicates damaged cords caused by a severe impact.
  2. Damaged cords are often accompanied by a visible break in the inner liner.
  3. If cords have been damaged, air has infiltrated into the plies and can result in a bulge.

Is sidewall damage covered under warranty?

Are tires on new cars covered under warranty for damage like flats or sidewall damage? No, most tires on new cars are covered under the warranty only for manufacturing defects.

How does sidewall damage occur?

Road hazards include potholes, debris, and curbs, which can leave a cut or a puncture in the tire. The damage may be immediate, making the tire go flat or explode, or it may be long-lasting. The latter will expand and eventually deflate the tire fully, causing a tire sidewall blowout.

Can you plug a tire near the sidewall?

Puncture repairs are limited to the center of the tread area. If there are punctures or damage in the shoulder or sidewall of the tire, it is not repairable. Not all tires can be repaired.

How far should a tire be from a sidewall?

To safely repair your tire, the puncture must be 1/2 inch away or more from the edge of the tire tread where the internal steel belt begins. Any puncture less than 1/2 inch from the start of the internal steel belt on the shoulder or sidewall of the tire cannot be repaired (shown in the red area of the diagram).

Is it bad to replace just one tire?

Typically, when you’re faced with replacing only one tire, it’s the result of an unrepairable situation such as a flat or a blow-out. Unfortunately, not all tires are repairable or worth saving. Replacing only one tire mostly depends on how much tread is remaining on the opposite tire on the same axle.

Can I replace just one tire on my AWD?

Replacing just one or two tires on an AWD vehicle could cause unnecessary wear and tear on your drivetrain, or confuse the traction control system to think that you are frequently losing traction. A new tire is larger in diameter than one of the same brand, type and size that’s part way through its tread life.

Can you replace one tire with a different brand?

The answer is NO. It is never a good idea to replace a single tire, because each tire has different performance characteristics. Even similar tires will have different behaviors. A simple screw puncture should be repairable, however, unless you continued to drive on the flat.

Do all 4 tires need to be the same?

The short answer is that, in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all. That means having the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires. However, there are exceptions that can lead to mixing tire brands.

Is it OK to replace only 2 tires?

If you are looking to replace all-wheel drive tires, we recommend replacing all four at once. While it may be tempting to replace only two at a time, mixing new and worn tires can create a size difference from front to back, which can lead to damage to your vehicle.

Does Discount Tire negotiate price?

Yes they will. In the past tirerack.com and tirecrawler.com used to be nice online sites where you could find tires, estimate shipping, and discountt would match. Lately I’ve noticed either the online sites have upped their priced or Discount has gotten more reasonable because the delta has closed quite a bit.

How much should a tire replacement cost?

Survey respondents show that, in fact, some other brands were more expensive, on average. The brand median price paid for tires was $148, and the median cost for installation was about $20 per tire….Cost Per Tire by Car Type.

Car Type Percent of Vehicles in Survey Median Purchase Price Paid Per Tire*
Other 4 $137

How much does it cost for an alignment?

How much does an alignment cost? A front-end alignment usually costs between $65 and $100 (some brands, of course, are more). At that price, it should be a regular part of your car care regime. To make an alignment even more economical, some car care facilities offer lifetime alignment packages for around $200.

How often should you replace your tires?

every six years

Can I buy my own tires and have them installed?

You definitely can. That said, most shops tend to charge more to install tires that weren’t purchased through them. Cyclegear for example charges $50 per tire to mount, or $25 if you buy through them. Keep in mind, tire mounting is a racket – check on Craigslist or local riding forums for better sources.

Who has the cheapest tire installation?

Walmart

Is it cheaper to buy tires online and have them installed?

Shoppers can find cheap tires online that a local store might price match. Don’t worry about delivery — tires ship directly to an installer.