How dangerous is this...

[WhiteGTI]

By chance, I was looking at my tyres earlier on and notices something strange on the sidewall of my offside front tyre.

Two small slits.

One is about 1.5cm in length, the other (which is about 10cm further down the tyre) is about 1cm in length.

The tyre has lost no pressure. I do not want to disturb the slits, so can't tell how deep they are.

Any ideas how they got there, and if they are dangerous???!

Muchos thanks! 

[Top Cat]

My advice, will be the same as anyone's really go and get them checked out.  in the mean time i would be squeezing a butter knife or some else blunt and thin in there to check the depth your not going to do any further damage with something blunt so have a prod and see. 

[The wheel man]

Ive come across this from time to time.  Does it look almost like a crack (not straight) as these will usually get a % credit depending on the tread left & who you go back to.  Ive not known a blow out caused by one but still best to get it checked out ASAP!!

[JPC]

yeh id get it checked asap! even just for piece of mind.

[WhiteGTI]

Ive come across this from time to time.  Does it look almost like a crack (not straight) as these will usually get a % credit depending on the tread left & who you go back to.  Ive not known a blow out caused by one but still best to get it checked out ASAP!!

Yeah looks like two small cracks!

I have about 4-5mm left of tread!
 

[WhiteGTI]

Ive come across this from time to time.  Does it look almost like a crack (not straight) as these will usually get a % credit depending on the tread left & who you go back to.  Ive not known a blow out caused by one but still best to get it checked out ASAP!!

Yeah looks like two small cracks!

I have about 4-5mm left of tread!
 

Any ideas how/why they form???

[stealthwolf]

Out of curiosity what tyres do you have (make/model)?

And as I had to today, go and get it checked out. Might be nothing. Might be something.

[JPC]

it might happen driving over an awkwardly placed/sharp stone on the motorway.

[WhiteGTI]

Ive got Goodyear Eagle Assymetrics.

Ok, so I'll probably change the said tyre.

Does it matter that I will therefore be running with one brand new tyre on the front offside, and a used tyre with 4-5mm tread left on the nearside front???

Will it affect handling?? Or nothing that I'm gunna notice?

[JPC]

well there might be a difference in grip, but it probably wont be too obvious until the older tyre gets to 2-3mm, by then you might aswell replace it.

i always like to both tyres on an axle at the same time, but as you know, its not always convenient.

In the wet, with your foot down, you might notice a bit more torque steer

[WhiteGTI]

well there might be a difference in grip, but it probably wont be too obvious until the older tyre gets to 2-3mm, by then you might aswell replace it.

i always like to both tyres on an axle at the same time, but as you know, its not always convenient.

In the wet, with your foot down, you might notice a bit more torque steer

Cheers pal 

[WhiteGTI]

Should I put the two rear tyres on the front - so that the steering wheels are equal in tread.

Then put the tyre with 4-5mm on the back, with the new tyre also, or is this going to cause traction issues at the rear of the car??

[JPC]

i really couldnt do much than theorise about the back tyres, and im sure someone will be along soon with probably more accurate info.

i would probably prefer two similar tyres on the front of my car rather than the back. but sods law says, someone will come along and tell me im wrong! hehe.

[evvo]

I agree with the above get them checked out.

A word of warning for you all check your inner tyre tread on all your wheels my tracking was out considerably from the factory and i got through my first set of tyres very fast until i had them laser aligned.

I've not had any issue since.

Chris

[JPC]

oh ive had a set of tyres go in 1800 miles on a car once!! i was so annoyed, i spend a LOT on tyres. no expense spared with tyres and they lasted 1800 miles.

god knows how they got that out of shape!