Drove over Glass Bottle

ThemeOne

I drover over and crushed a glass bottle recently - 48 hours later the cold tyre pressures seem fine, though I did find a small piece of glass in one tyre - I got it out, and it's left a what looks like a shallow nick in the outer tyre.

What's the likelihood of any serious damage? Should I get the tyres checked, and if so where would you recommend (i.e. that won't just try and sell me new tyres regardless).

System

A shallow nick on the sidewall isn't a problem. It becomes a problem if you can see any of the metal bands or chords. If the tyre pressure is being maintained as well it'll be fine.

nickcc

If you're going to leave the tyre on I'd suggest making sure it's on the rear of your car. Personally I'd call into a local tyre depot and get it checked, not kwik fit, a blow out could result in a serious accident.

ThemeOne

Tarambor wrote: »

A shallow nick on the sidewall isn't a problem. It becomes a problem if you can see any of the metal bands or chords. If the tyre pressure is being maintained as well it'll be fine.

Thanks for the reassurance - bearing in mind your comments, I will do another pressure and visual check as have a longish journey on Friday, but it didn't look deep.

ThemeOne

nickcc wrote: »

If you're going to leave the tyre on I'd suggest making sure it's on the rear of your car. Personally I'd call into a local tyre depot and get it checked, not kwik fit, a blow out could result in a serious accident.

It is a rear tyre. National Tyres are nearby - would they be OK?

Joe_Horner

Gently open the slit to see if there's any sign of exposed or cut cord - it'll be pretty obvious if there is, looks like thick string. If nothing's visible then there's no need to worry.

That's all a tyre place is going to do, and you're not going to try and sell yourself a new tyre "to be on the safe side" if it's ok

nickcc

You could also call in to your local mot centre and ask them to have a look if it would pass the test. As far as your and possibly your families safety is concerned taking advice from someone who's never seen your tyre wouldn't be the way I'd go. I realise this is a money saving forum but I'd always put safety first.

Joe_Horner

nickcc wrote: »

As far as your and possibly your families safety is concerned taking advice from someone who's never seen your tyre wouldn't be the way I'd go. I realise this is a money saving forum but I'd always put safety first.

Agreed, but this sort of thing really is an incredibly easy inspectionn to do and, from a family safety point f view, makes sense to learn how to do yourself.

If the cords haven't been exposed then the damage isn't anything to worry about.

If they have been then the tyre should be replaced.

It really is that simple.

Ebe_Scrooge

nickcc wrote: »

If you're going to leave the tyre on I'd suggest making sure it's on the rear of your car. Personally I'd call into a local tyre depot and get it checked, not kwik fit, a blow out could result in a serious accident.

To the OP, get it checked by a trusted local tyre fitter - as per other posters, NOT Kwik-Fit ( they'll find that your entire suspension system needs replacing )

Dodgy tyres on the rear - bad choice. The basic principle goes thus : if a front tyre loses grip ( whether due to low tread, or a blowout, or ice, or whatever it may be ), you get understeer. Most drivers with a reasonable amount of experience will be able to make a damned good go of dealing with this. Back tyre goes=oversteer - much harder to control, unless you've either practised or have been on a skid control course - and it's much more counter-intuitive to deal with. Which is the source of many arguments/discussions online along the lines of "My front wheels do the driving and the steering, surely the best tyres should be on the front". A rear-wheel skid is much harder to control ( for most "ordinary" drivers ) than a front-wheel skid.

That aside, if you have any doubts, get it looked at by a trusted mechanic or tyre fitter.

Richard53

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Dodgy tyres on the rear - bad choice. The basic principle goes thus : if a front tyre loses grip ( whether due to low tread, or a blowout, or ice, or whatever it may be ), you get understeer.

I think you are confusing grip with the integrity of the tyre. I would agree that the tyre with the best grip should be on the rear, for the reasons you give. But we're talking about damage to the sidewall, where the risk is of a blowout. If I had to have a tyre blow out on me in the fast lane of the M4, I would far rather have a rear tyre go. Front tyre blowout = almost certain disaster, and skill not relevant. Rear tyre blowout might be saveable.

ThemeOne

I should have been more specific - it was actually a small nick in the tread not the sidewall.