Just wondering if anyone knows what might cause cuts/gouges like these. The largest is just over 1/4 deep.
How old is the tire?
Old rubber, cracks on sidewall in pic 1 & 3 brittle rubber will break when newer rubber would flex.
Just about 5 years old. DOT date code 0512
Interesting. They have been covered anytime we're parked for more than a few days.
Maybe just the camera view, are those weather cracks below where the "steer" is embossed on pic. 1 and toward the center of the tire in pic. 3?
Looks like tread separation starting to occur.
I think it was just the camera view.
Could also have been cut from sharp rocks, piece of metal, etc.
If that is the ONLY damage, no problem. But absolutely DO have the rest of the tire checked carefully.
We're on our way to Redburn (Phoenix), we'll see what they say.
Grant, (+)1 on Brett's info;
My son's company had a contract hauling "Dirty Dirt" out of Boston's "Big Dig" to Norridgewock, ME. Broken glass and sharp metal in the "Big Dig", as well as where they dumped their loads in a landfill, sometimes started cuts in the tread face, that later (under flex stresses) graduated to missing chunks in the tread face. Seldom cause for replacement, but you need to have it evaluated by a truck tire service center that won't gouge you, but also can offer quality advice.
FWIW, the sidewall blemishes (pictures 1 & 3) look like light curb scars to me. If not deep (1/8th inch or less) , not a concern.
HTH,
Neal
Grant,
If you ran over something it may have damaged the other tires on that side.
Have you looked at them?
Been in the Kansas Flinthills....off paved roads?
Just had a Redburn tech do a check; he thought the tire should be just fine; suggested checking it on a regular basis to make sure the cut doesn't start spreading. (BTW they seemed to have pretty good prices for a XLE replacement under the FMCA program.)
You're right on the blemishes, I have on occasion been a little closer to the curb than I wanted to be :-[
Yes, checked them all when I saw the problem on the one last night.
Just paved roads (although I-10 in California was a bit rough :) )
^.^d Thanks all for the observations and suggestions. Hopefully we're good until replacement time, next year. ^.^d