Why are Cords Showing on Tires – Understand Causes & Fixes

While inspecting your tire, if you notice cords showing on tires, it’s alarming and unsafe to drive more on this tire. Tire wires or cords are a crucial part of internal structure, and if you see wires or cords, your tire has lost its structural durability.

Driving on a tire with showing cords could be dangerous because it can blow out at any time, and your and other car passenger’s life is at risk. If you see wire showing on the tires, immediately go to the nearest tire professional and replace this tire with a new one.

Keep reading if you want to know all about the causes, issues, and possible fixes of cords or wires showing on a tire.

What Does It Mean If Cords Showing On Tires?

If the tire cords are showing on your tire, that means the tire rubber has worn down severely to the point where the underlying cords or wires are exposed. It also indicates the tire is no longer safe to drive furthermore. 

Cords and wires are the most important part of a tire’s internal structure to provide strength to face road challenges. Tire showing cords can cause multiple issues, including reduced handling, maximizing the blowout risk, reduced traction, etc.

So, the tire showing cords should be replaced with a new one asap.

How Long Can You Drive On Tires With Wire Or Cords Showing?

A tire with exposed wires or cords clearly indicates that it has lost its internal structure integrity and is not safe to drive on. The maximum distance you can drive on a tire showing cords or wires is to the nearest tire shop at low speed to replace the tire. 

Maximum driving on the tire showing cords or wires can lead to a tire blowout that results in loosing vehicle control or a severe road accident because its rubber and tread is worn out and it can’t bear the vehicle load and road hazards.

What Causes Cords OR Wires Showing On Tires?

There are numerous reasons for causing wires or cords showing on tires. The most common reason is uneven tire wear. Let’s discuss all of them. 

Uneven Tire Wear

Uneven tire wear is the most common reason to show cords or wires on tires. Uneven tire wear caused by wheel misalignment and improper tire pressure. Poor wheel alignment often causes the one sided tire wear that results in cords showing on tires.

Wheel alignment should be done every 6000 miles to 8000 miles to avoid toe wear or camber wear. Similarly, improper tire pressure causes under-inflated tire wear from both sides of the tire or over-inflated tire wear from the tire’s center tread.

So tire pressure should be maintained regularly as per the owner’s manual to enhance your tire’s life span.

Road Hazards

Road hazards can also cause cords or wires to show on tires but in rare cases. Cords or wires can be exposed on your tires after hitting a pothole, or a curb strike or road debris can also damage the tire to expose cords on tires. 

Tire Expiry

Expired tires can also cause cords to show on tires. Normally tires last for 4 to 6 years or 40000 to 50000 miles. After that tire’s tread wears out and can expose cords or wires on the tires.

Definitely, there’re multiple factors to consider before analyzing the tire age, including tire manufacturer, maintenance, daily usage, etc.

Tire Cords Showing On Sidewall

Tire cords showing on the sidewall can be caused by hitting road debris or potholes, and cracked sidewalls due to tire expiry can also cause cords to show up.

Driving on a tire with cords showing on the sidewall is extremely dangerous because the damaged sidewall can cause an instant air leak or tire blowout. So, the damaged tire should be replaced with a new tire asap.

Is It Safe To Driving On Tires With Wire Showing?

Definitely not safe. Driving on tires with wire showing can be dangerous as the traction and stability of the tire have been reduced. The tire tread has been worn out completely, and it can blow out anytime.

If it is, then it is difficult to control the vehicle at speed and most likely leads to a road accident. So before driving more, the damaged tire should be replaced.

How To Fix A Tire With Wire Showing?

A tire with wires showing can’t be fixed or repaired. Wires or cords are part of the internal tire structure underlying the tread.

So, once the wires or cords appear on tires, they can’t be fixed or repaired. The only solution is to replace the damaged tire with a new one for a safe drive.

How To Prevent Cords Showing On Tires?

Strictly follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule if you want to avoid cords or wires showing on tires. Monitor your tire performance and perform wheel alignment regularly or when the steering wheel starts pulling to one side.

Maintaining the recommended air pressure in your tires and rotating tires between 6000 to 8000 miles. Immediately go for a professional mechanic if you hear any unusual noise while driving, especially cornering.

Drive carefully and avoid road hazards like a curb, road debris, and potholes. 

How Much Does It Cost To Buy New Tires?

The tire price depends on many factors like tire size, tire brand, and type of tire. The average tire price falls between $60 to $450 for sizes 12″ to 24″, including car tires to truck or SUV tires.

The best way to find the exact tire price is to visit your nearest store or check online on Tire Rack . You can check the latest tire prices and order your best tires online here.

Conclusion

Tire cords and wires are crucial to the tire’s internal structure and provide stability and durability to face road hazards. It’s alarming if you notice cords or wires showing on tires.

Driving with such type of damaged tire is not safe because the traction and stability of the tire have been decreased, and you’ll feel difficulty in handling and controlling your vehicle. 

A tire with cords or wires can’t be fixed or repaired, the only solution is to replace the damaged tire with a new one, or you can replace all the tires to enjoy the drive.

Follow up on your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, and take care of your tires to enhance the life span of your tires.