Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder

Damage
Tread Cuts
Code No. 101
Definition Cuts in the tread crown, not penetrating to the casing.

Possible Causes a. Sharp stones, rocks, nails, glass and the like.
& Soures b. Slipping/skidding/spinning on rough roads..
c. Rough driving.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Drive carefully to avoid cuts to tire.

• Inspect tires frequently-repair damage immediately.
• Remove stones, rocks, nails etc. from the tire to prevent penetrating deeper
into the tire.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Cut-Penetration
Code No. 100
Definition Cuts which penetrate into or through the casing, in the crown area.

Possible Causes a. Sharp stones, rocks, glass, nails, bolts and steel bars etc.
& Soures b. Rough driving.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Drive carefully to avoid cuts to tire.

• Inspect tires freqeuntly-repair damage immediately.
• Remove stones, rocks, nails etc. from tire in order to prevent penetrating
deeper into the tire.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Tread Chunking
Code No. 106
Definition Generally, blocks of tread partially torn off.

Possible Causes a. Improper inflation pressure.

& Soures b. Driving at over speeds.
c. Spinning and skidding.
d. Rapid acceleration or sudden braking.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid rough driving.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Rib/Lug/Block Tearing
Code No. 108
Definition Ribs, lugs and blocks of the tread torn by external force.

Possible Causes a. Improper inflation pressure and excessive loading.

& Soures b. Stone retention or external cuts.
c. Riding over a curb or the edge of roads.
d. Turning sharply at high speeds.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Remove stones and rocks in grooves.
• Avoid riding over curbs and the edge of roads.
• Avoid overloading and rough driving.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Sipe Tearing
Code No. 141
Definition Cracking from sipe edges.

Possible Causes a. Rough driving such as tight cornering, excessive acceleration and sudden
& Soures braking.
b. Stones retained in sipe(s).
c. Cut.
d. Failure to use as specified.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Avoid rough driving.

• Remove stones in sipes.
• Use proper tire specifications.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Brake Chipping (BC)
Code No. 103
Definition Tread-rubber is partially torn when braking and/or accelerating.

Possible Causes a. Excessive spinning or skidding. (from sudden or abnormal

& Soures braking/acceleration)
b. Brake tester.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Avoid rough driving such as improper braking and acceleration.

• Select proper tread pattern and specifications.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Flake Chipping (FC)
Code No. 105
Definition Tread breaks off and has the appearance of fish scales, usually throughout the
surface of the tread crown.
Possible Causes Fatigue in tread rubber caused by severe road-conditions and overloading.
& Soures
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Select proper tread pattern and specifications to meet the operating
conditions.
• Avoid overloading and reduce speed on rough roads.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Cut-Chipping
Code No. 151
Definition Starting with many cuts, the tread rubber tears off in scales.

Possible Causes a. Severe road-conditions.

& Soures b. Use of improper tire.
c. Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Select proper specifications/pattern of tire for the severe road conditions.
• Avoid overloading and reduce speed on gravel roads.
• Maintain road condition.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Cut-Bursting
Code No. 131
Definition Similar to “shock-bursting” but caused by cuts on the tread crown and/or the
shoulders.
Possible Causes a. External cuts on tread.
& Soures b. Over inflation pressure and overloading.
c. Rough driving at high speeds.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.

• Avoid rough driving.
• Repair damage immediately when the initial cuts are found.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Shock-Bursting
Code No. 132
Definition Casing bursting from shock, which appears traditionally in the shape of “X”, “L”,
“T” or “–” in bias tires, and in radial tires, radially along the cords of the casing.
Possible Causes a. Over inflation pressure and overloading.
& Soures b. Rough driving at high speeds.
c. Hitting obstructions under “a”, “b” conditions.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.

• Avoid rough driving.
• Inspect tires regularly-repair damage immediately.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Heat-Separation
Code No. 207
Definition Separation from excessive heat generation.
(Melted or scorched rubber can be observed.)
Possible Causes a. Use of improper tire.
& Soures b. Underinflated
c. Overloading
d. Continuing to run at high speeds.
e. Mismatching of dual tires.
f. Air-leaking
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Use proper tire specifications.

• Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.
• Drive at moderate speeds.
• Proper matching of dual tires.
• Avoid using wrinkled or cracked tubes to reduce air leakage.
• Repair cuts immediately to prevent air leakage.
• Use valve cap and proper valve core to reduce air leakage.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Cut-Separation
Code No. 140
Definition Separation caused by cuts on the tread crown.

Possible Causes a. Improper inflation pressure and overloading.

& Soures b. External cuts, drilling from stones and the like weaken adhesion between
tread rubber and belt cords or breaker cords.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.

• Use proper tire specifications.
• Maintain road codition.
• Inspect tires regularly-repair before damage enlarges.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Tread Leaving Tread (TLT)
Code No. 107
Definition Separation between layers of tread rubber. (Tread delamination)
The surfaces of separated layers are normally smooth.
Possible Causes Weak adhesion between layers of tread rubber due to:
& Soures • Insufficient splicing and joining.
• Foreign material.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Consult Brigestone representatives.

Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Tread Leaving/Belt or Breaker (TLB)
Code No. 139
Definition Separation between tread rubber and belt (breaker).

Possible Causes Fatigue (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (tread and breaker)
& Soures from excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure.
• Over speeding.
• Scuffing from fast cornering.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Drive at moderate speeds.
• Avoid fast cornering.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Tread Leaving Casing (TLC)
Code No. 135
Definition Separation between tread rubber and casing.

Possible Causes Fatigue (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (tread and casing)
& Soures from excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
• Over speeding..
• Scuffing from fast cornering.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Drive at moderate speeds.
• Avoid fast cornering.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Belt Leaving Belt (BLB)
Code No. 136
Definition Separation between breaker (belt) and breaker (belt).

Possible Causes Fatigue (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (layers of breaker)
& Soures from excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
• Over speeding.
• Scuffing from fast cornering.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Do not exceed tire TKPH rating.
• Avoid fast cornering.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Breaker Leaving Casing (BLC)
Code No. 137
Definition Separation between belt/breaker and casing

Possible Causes Fatigure (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (belt/breaker and
& Soures casing) from excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure and/or overloading.
• Excessive speed.
• Scuffing from fast cornering.
• Large shear force impact.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Avoid excessive speeds.
• Avoid fast cornering.
• Avoid large shear force impacts.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Belt-Edge Separation (BES)
Code No. 235
Definition Separation occurring from the edge of belt(s).

Possible Causes Fatigue (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (belt-edge) from
& Soures excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
• Over speeding • Scuffing from fast cornering.
• Mechanical irregularity and/or misalignment.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Drive at moderate speeds.
• Avoid fast cornering. • Maintain mechanical fitness of vehicles.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage Casing Leaving Casing (CLC) Code No. 138
(Carcass Leaving Carcass)
Definition Separation between layers of casing.

Possible Causes Fatigue (weakening) of adhesion between rubber and cord (layers of casing)
& Soures from excessive temperature and stress due to:
• Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
• Over speeding.
• Scuffing from fast cornering.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Do not exceed tire speed rating.
• Avoid fast cornering.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Separation-Not Identified
Code No. 153
Definition Unidentified swelling or bulging at the crown and/or shoulders.

Possible Causes Not specified.

& Soures
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Dismount the tire for safety.

• Section the tire and check the damaged part carefully to identify the damage.
• (A member of the Bridgestone technical staff will suggest treatment.)
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Groove Cracking (GC)
Code No. 102
Definition Cracks occurring in grooves of the tread.

Possible Causes a. Underinflated and/or overloaded.

& Soures b. Stone retention or external cuts.
c. Severe road-conditions.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
• Remove stones in grooves.
• Store tires properly.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Lateral Cracking
Code No. 203
Definition Lateral cracks in shoulders.
(Cracks may develop circumferentially.)
Possible Causes a. Underinflated and/or overloaded.
& Soures b. Cuts.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Diagonal Cracking
Code No. 204
Definition Diagonal cracks in shoulders.

Possible Causes a. Underinflated and/or overloaded.

& Soures b. Cuts
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Radial Cracking
Code No. 205
Definition Radial cracks in shoulders.

Possible Causes a. Underinflated and/or overloaded.

& Soures b. Cuts
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Avoid overloading.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Ozone Cracking
Code No. 206
Definition Very small cracks appearing on tread surfaces or in grooves.
(Cracks only on surface and may not extend to interior.)
Possible Causes a. Improper storage: exposed to ozone from sunlight, generators, etc.
& Soures b. Effects of oxidation (ozone exposure) maximized by overloading and/or
underinflation.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Store tires properly: keep tires away from direct sunlight, ozone, generators,
heat, wind or rain.
• Maintain proper inflation pressure.
• Avoid overloading.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Rapid Wear
Code No. 130
Definition Tread abrades relatively quicker than those of comparative tires.

Possible Causes a. Improper wheel alignment and mounting of wheels.

& Soures b. Improper inflation pressure and overloading.
c. Defective brake system.
d. Improper interchanging of wheel positions. (improper rotation of wheels)
e. Rough driving when cornering.
f. Tire unsuitable for operating conditions.
g. Improper specification of tread.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper wheel alignment and mounting of wheels.

• Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.
• Proper brake adjustment.
• Maintain proper brake system.
• Proper rotation of tires.
• Select proper tire specifications.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Shoulder Wear-One Side
Code No. 110
Definition The shoulder of the tread on one side wears asymmetrically quicker than the
other shoulder.
Possible Causes a. Defective wheel-alignment.
& Soures b. Rotation of tire not properly timed.
c. Axle-beam bent.
d. Underinflated and/or overloaded.
e. Weight-imbalance of wheels.
f. High-crown road-use.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Correct defective wheel-alignment.

• Rotate tires from right to left or left to right so that the abrasion pattern will
become uniform: If necessary, remount the tires on the rims.
• Correct mechanical deficiencies.
• Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.
• Correct weight-imbalance of wheels.
• Avoid high-crown roads where possible.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Shoulder Wear-Both Sides
Code No. 111
Definition Both shoulders of the tread wear symmetrically quicker than the center of the
tread.
Possible Causes a. Underinflated.
& Soures b. Improper matching of tires and rims.
c. Rotation of tire not properly timed.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.

• Match tires and rims properly.
• Rotate tires to drive axle when shoulder wear is found.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Center Wear
Code No. 112
Definition The center of the tread wears relatively more than the shoulders.

Possible Causes a. Overinflated.

& Soures b. Improper matching of tires and rims.
c. Rotation of tire not properly timed.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Maintain proper inflation pressure.

• Match tires and rims properly.
• Rotate tires to free axles when center wear is found.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Heel-and-Toe Wear
Code No. 116
Definition One side of the blocks and lugs on the tread wears more than the other side in
a circumferential direction. The tire circumference looks like saw-teeth.
Possible Causes a. Rotation of tire not properly timed.
& Soures b. Underinflated and/or overloaded.
c. Faulty suspension (skewed axles)
d. Hard braking and rapid accelerating.
e. Improper matching of tires and rims.
Photo & Figure

Measure the difference between the heel and the toe of the lug, or block parts, on the
tread with a depth gauge or step depth gauge.

Recommendations • Rotate tires regularly:

From left to right and right to left to change the rotational directions of the
tires, or from steer axle to drive axle.
• Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.
• Correct faulty suspenseion.
• Match tires and rims properly.
• Avoid rough driving.
• Use proper tire specificaiton.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Spot Wear
Code No. 117
Definition The tread worn in several spots on the tire.

Possible Causes a. Defective suspension or defective rotating parts such as axle-beam and
& Soures bearings.
b. Faulty braking system.
c. Rapid starting and sudden braking.
d. Weight-imbalance of wheels.
e. Excessive run-out of tire and rim assembly.
f. Underinflated and/or overloaded.
Photo & Figure

Count how many worn spots are visible and state the extent of irregular wear,
mentioning whether the undertread or the belts are exposed or not, etc.

Recommendations • Correct mechanical deficiencies.

• Correct faulty braking system.
• Avoid rough driving.
• Correct weight-imbalance of wheels.
• Match tires and rims properly. (minimizing run-out)
• Maintain proper inflation pressure and avoid overloading.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Open-Splice (OS)
Code No. 104
Definition Joined portions of tread rubber separated with very smooth surfaces.

Possible Causes a. Irregular splicing and joining.

& Soures b. Foreign matter.
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • When open splicing is slightly observed, change the rotating direction to
prevent the splice from separating further.
Part of Tire Crown & Shoulder
Damage
Stone Drilling Casing
Code No. 109
Definition Stones retained in tread grooves drill down to belt, casing damage to belt.

Possible Causes Stones remaining in the tread grooves.

& Soures (Running on gravel surface)
Photo & Figure

Recommendations • Remove stones whenever they are found.