What is Tire Chunking: Should You be Worried?

If you’ve ever seen a car driving down the street with a huge chunk of rubber missing from one of its tires, you may have wondered what happened.

Well, that rubber is called a “tire chunk,” and it can be caused by a variety of things.

So, if you’re curious (or worried) about tire chunking happening to you, then here’s what you need to know.

What is tire chunking?

Tire chunking is when a large piece of rubber comes off of a tire. This can be caused by hitting a pothole, driving over debris, or even having worn-out tires. When a tire chunk happens, it can cause serious damage to your car, cause serious tire failure and may even lead to an accident.

That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of tire chunking and to take steps to prevent it from happening.

What causes a tire to chunk?

There are several things that can cause a tire to chunk, but the most common causes are hitting a pothole, driving over debris, and having worn-out tires.

Potholes

Hitting a pothole is one of the most common causes of tire chunking. Potholes are created when water seeps into cracks in the pavement and freezes, expanding the cracks and causing them to become larger. As cars drive over these potholes, they can cause the tires to puncture or tear.

Debris

Driving over debris on the road can also cause tire chunking. Debris can include anything from rocks and gravel to glass and metal. If you hit something sharp with your tires, it can cause them to puncture or tear.

Heat

Too much heat can also cause tire chunking. When tires get too hot, the rubber can start to degrade and break down. This is more likely to happen if you’re driving on hot pavement or in hot weather. If you are into racing like autocross, then heat is often the primary issue.

Worn-out Tires

If your tires are worn out, they may be more susceptible to tire chunking. Worn-out tires can have weak spots that are more likely to tear or puncture when they hit a pothole or piece of debris.

Having worn-out tires is another common cause of tire chunking. When tires are worn out, they become more susceptible to punctures and tears. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your tires for wear and tear and to replace them when necessary.

Signs of tire chunking

So, what are the signs of tire chunking? One of the most obvious signs is a large piece of rubber missing from your tire. If you see this, it’s important to check your tires immediately and see if they need to be replaced.

Other signs of tire chunking include strange noises coming from your tires, vibrations in your steering wheel, or your car pulling to one side.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take your car to a mechanic and have them check your tires.

How can I prevent tire chunking?

There are several things you can do to prevent tire chunking from happening, such as:

• Avoid driving over potholes if possible. If you can’t avoid them, slow down before hitting them.
• Be aware of debris on the road and try to avoid it if possible.
• Regularly check your tires for wear and tear and replace them when necessary.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Avoid driving on rough roads if possible.
• If the issue is heat, and you are racing, then it’s may be a good idea to spray down your tires between races.
• Invest in a tire that is more resistant to chunking like the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3

Can you repair tire chunking?

Unfortunately, once tire chunking has occurred, it cannot be repaired. The only way to fix it is to replace the damaged tire. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to prevent tire chunking from happening in the first place!

Some people argue that you can use tire truing to get rid of the uneven edges created by the chunking, however, we wouldn’t recommend this.

Is tire chunking covered by warranty?

While this answer may not seem helpful, the reality is that it depends. Some warranties may cover tire chunking if it’s caused by a manufacturing defect, but most will not cover it if it’s caused by hitting a pothole or driving over debris.

It’s important to read the fine print of your warranty and to contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.

Can you drive on a tire that has chunked?

No, you should not drive on a tire that has chunked. Doing so could cause further damage to your car and tire and may even lead to an accident. If you have a tire that has chunked, take it to a mechanic or the dealership as soon as possible to have it replaced.

Now, in some cases where the chunk lost does not affect the structural integrity of the tire, you may be able to keep driving it. However, I wouldn’t risk this and so it’s probably best to just get it replaced.

Summary

Tire chunking can be a serious issue that will badly damage your tires and make driving incredibly dangerous. While there are some temporary fixes, we’d recommend just replacing the tire to avoid taking any risks.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!

If you want a good chunk resistant tire, check out the Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3