Just Spotted These on My Girlfriend’s Car… 

Driving on a damaged sidewall is playing with fire. The tire just can’t keep the pressure stable anymore and could fail without warning.

While punctures in the tread can often be patched up, sidewall damage is a whole different ballgame. The sidewall endures a hefty amount of stress, making it a bad candidate for repairs. Trying to patch a sidewall cut is asking for trouble safety-wise.

A damaged sidewall is a ticking time bomb for blowouts, especially when you’re zooming along at highway speeds. The combination of increased pressure and heat can make things go south in a hurry. Blowouts can lead to a sudden loss of control, putting everyone in the car in real jeopardy.

For your own safety, any tire with sidewall damage needs to be replaced ASAP. Putting off the replacement is like playing Russian roulette with an accident, so it’s non-negotiable.