audi Workshop Repair Guides

Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Impact damage > < Torn tread
Radial depressions
Radial depressions
Radial depressions are slight concavities in the tyre sidewall.
They run from the bead towards the sidewall of the tyre.
Radial depressions are caused by the accumulation of material at the joints of the tyre components.
Radial depressions do not influence:
t  Safety,
t  Service life,
t  Running characteristics or other properties of the tyre.
Radial depressions are visible to varying extents. It is not necessary to inspect the tyre or remove it from the rim.
What causes radial depressions?
Modern steel belted radial tyres are constructed with single-ply sidewalls to save weight.
The sidewall components consist of long strips before they are joined together to form a tyre. They must overlap at the joints. Consequently, slight unevenness or ripples are created in the area of the overlapping parts. The overlaps are easier to see from the outside due to the single-ply construction.
   

Impact damage > < Torn tread