Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual: Tire Sidewall Swelling

Volkswagen Polo Service & Repair Manual / Whels, Tires, Whel Alignment / Tires, Evaluating / Tire Sidewall Swelling

A swelling in the flank of the tire indicates that the substructure of the carcass has been damaged.

Typical causes for such damage include, for example, driving over curbs at a sharp angle.

Pinching the carcass of a tire this way can damage the carcass.

The substructure of the tire is stretched so far that individual fibers in the carcass may break.

The extent of the damage depends on the speed of impact, the angle of impact, the air pressure, the axle load and the type of obstacle.

Tire Sidewall Swelling

Evidence of Pinching on the Sidewall of a Tire -arrows-

Note

Driving over curbs must be avoided!

When it cannot be avoided, curbs should be driven over very slowly at the bluntest possible angle.

Tire Sidewall Swelling

Interior View of a Tire with a Punctured Carcass.

Due to a severe impact, the carcass was pinched on the rim flange and is ruptured in the contact patch.

Tire Sidewall Swelling

Inside Tire Damage Due to Impact Damage (Double Rupture)

Double rupture -arrows- caused by pinching when driving over a curb. Often not detectable from outside.

Tire Sidewall Swelling

Cuts

Cut Caused by a Sharp-Edged Obstacle -arrow-.

Cuts

Wear Spots

A wear spot is a flat spot on the tread of the tires that can be caused by extreme braking maneuvers on subsurface such as asphalt. ...

Foreign Object Damage

Driving over hard, pointed objects like nails, screws and the like can pierce the tire. This always leads to tire damage. ...

Other materials:

Changing the bulbs in the tail light cluster
Fig. 184 On the side of the luggage compartment: removing the tail light cluster Fig. 185 Tail light cluster: removing the bulb holder First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings The steps should only be carried out in the specified order. Removing the tail li ...

Wheel bolts
Fig. 166 Changing a wheel: loosening the wheel bolts Fig. 167 Changing a wheel: anti-theft bolt and adapter First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings Only the spanner delivered with the vehicle should be used to loosen the wheel bolts. Only loosen the whee ...

Stopping the engine
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings The steps should only be carried out in the specified order. 1. The vehicle must be completely stationary . 2. Press the brake pedal. Keep ...