Low Profile Tyres.

[Bramleyboy]

I have an Audi with those low profile tyres. I do not really like them but they came with the car.
Last week I was in an underground car park in France and I tried to close to the ticket machine on the way in for my passenger to reach. I got too close and heard an awful graunching sound. There was a strip of rubber tyre which is very close to the rim and about the diameter of a fountain pen and about 35 cms long was hanging off ~ I cut it off. The actually metal rim is very badly damaged and graunched as well. I continued and came home alright. Now I see I've got about 10 cms opposite coming off as well. The tyre is still pumped up alright! Question ~ is it dangerous to drive with this tyre and could I change it for the spare (which is a proper wheel) and would it be ok as a spare? Thank you for any advice given!

[gingejbee]

I'd not drive on it...and isn't your spare meant for shortish, lowish-speed journeys.

[shoota]

It sounds like you've graunched the rubbing strip but I'd get a professional opinion before I did a long journey again on it.
A bit of a rub mark on the wheel won't cause danger unless it is deformed or bits are missing.

[New Judge]

Your tyre sounds almost certainly as if it would be illegal

"...must be fit for purpose and be free from any defects which might damage the road or endanger any person."

Apart from possibly being illegal (which may attract a fine and three penalty points, even if stored in the boot as a spare) it could of course prove dangerous. Best to bin it and buy a replacement.

[Bramleyboy]

Thank you. It was what I felt too. Incidentally the spare is a full proper wheel. Bramleyboy