Radial Tire Conditions

Casing

The tire structure (body) without the tread rubber

Bead

The hard bottom edge of the tire that locks onto the wheel rim.   

Sidewall

The flexible side of the tire between the tread and the bead. 

Crown/Tread Area

The top part of the tire that contacts the road. 

Inner liner

The airtight rubber layer inside a tubeless tire. 

*Separation

When layers of the tire pull apart from each other. 
 

retread

Putting a new tread onto a used casing to extend tire life. 
 

*Scrap

Throw the tire away — it cannot be safely repaired or retreaded.

Underinflation

Not enough air pressure in the tire. 

*Overload

Putting more weight on the tire than it is rated to carry. 

Zipper (Circumferential Fatigue Rupture)

Dangerous long crack around the mid-to-upper sidewall from severe underinflation/overload. Always scrap.   

Run Flat

Tire driven while severely underinflated or completely flat. Always scrap.   

Buff Line

The dividing line between the original casing and the new retread rubber. 

*Defense Groove

Groove molded into the outer shoulder to help reduce irregular wear. 

Skive

Area where damaged rubber or belt material is cut out before repair or retread. 

Section Repair

Major structural repair in the sidewall or large repair through the casing in the crown.

Nail Hole Repair

Small repair in the crown (3/8" or less).

Weathering / Ozone Cracking

Tiny hairline cracks on the sidewall from oxygen, ozone, and weather. 

Bead Damage from Rim Flange Wear

Rough, abraded bead all the way around. Cause: low air, wrong rim, or overload. Scrap if cords show. 

Torn Beads

Bead toe rubber torn or cut, wire or fabric exposed. Cause: poor mounting/demounting technique, bad lubrication, forklift damage, or rough handling.

Bead Deformation

Circumferential indentation in the bead area. Cause: rusty/corroded rims, improper lubrication, petroleum lube, bent rims, overload or underinflation. Scrap if plies show.

Bead Damage due to Overload/Underinflation*

Severe rim impression + distorted bead. Always scrap. 

Kinked / Distorted Beads

Localized bend or kink in the bead seat. Cause: bad mounting. Always scrap.   

Burned Beads

Discolored, rough, brittle, hard surface on the bead. Cause: excessive brake heat or petroleum-based lubricants. Always scrap.

Bead Damage from Curbing

Localized rippling or waviness in bead flange area. Scrap. 

Reinforce / Chafer Separation

Circumferential cracks above the bead flange that expose cord. Cause: improper bead seating, wrong rim width, overload, underinflation, or manufacturing. Remove and contact manufacturer.

Spread / Damaged Cord

Radial, pencil-shaped bulge in the sidewall. Cause: wider-than-normal wire cord spacing or damaged body ply cord.

Sidewall Separation

Irregular-shaped bulge in mid/upper sidewall (may progress to complete separation). No puncture or damage visible. Loss of adhesion between sidewall rubber and body ply. Contact manufacturer.

*Sidewall Separation – Damage Induced

Same bulge but caused by puncture, impact, or bead cut. Always scrap.   

*Circumferential Fatigue Rupture (Zipper)

Long break in mid-to-upper sidewall with clean line of broken cords. Extremely dangerous. Always scrap.   

*Run Flat

Dark abraded stripe 360° on upper sidewall (later stages show cracks or missing tread). Always scrap.   

Run Flat – Only Sidewalls Remaining

Tread and belts completely gone, only sidewalls left. 

Sidewall Abrasion / Scuff Damage

Large rubbed areas on the sidewall. Return to service if no cords showing.   

Sidewall Penetration

Object that punctures the sidewall. Have repair shop evaluate. 

Penetrations and Road Hazards

Hole or damage in the tread from nail, screw, etc. 

*Brake Skid Damage

Flat spot on the tread from locked brakes. 

Retread Separation

New tread lifts away from the buffed casing.

Crack at Edge of Retread Wing

Circumferential crack at the base of the tread skirt

Cracking Due to Excessive Sidewall Buff

Circumferential cracks in the shoulder from improper buffing.

Innerliner Bubbles / Blisters / Separations

Bubble or looseness inside the tire.

Impact Break

Sudden break from hitting a large object. Usually scrap. 

Belt Lift / Separation

Belts separating under the tread. Scrap or consult manufacturer. 

Shoulder Step / Chamfer Wear

Wear only on the very outer edge of the shoulder. Often normal.   (steer)

Shoulder Step / Chamfer Wear

Wear only on the very outer edge of the shoulder. Often normal.   Trailer.

One-Sided Wear

One side of the tire wears much faster. Usually alignment/camber issue

Feather Wear

Tread ribs worn high-to-low across each rib. Classic toe (alignment) problem

Cupping / Scallop / Wavy Wear

Localized scooped-out areas around the tire. Often suspension or balance related.   

Heel/Toe Wear

One side of each lug wears more than the other (common on drive tires). 

Alternate Lug Wear

Every other lug wears faster (drive tires)

Center Wear

Tread worn more in the middle than the shoulders. Classic underinflation.   

Toe-In Wear

Outside shoulders of both steer tires worn. 

Lower Sidewall/Bead Area Flow Crack

Circumferential crack above the bead with no wire exposed. Cause: improper rubber flow during manufacturing. Remove and contact manufacturer.

Sidewall Separation/Damage Induced

Same bulge as above but caused by puncture, impact, innerliner damage or bead cut. Always scrap.

Sidewall Separation Due to Tread Puncture

Bulge, ruptured bulge, or missing rubber in sidewall directly related to a tread puncture. Air migration from the puncture. Always scrap.