A curb took out my tire way too easily

[sm02463]

I blew out my tire by hitting a curb at slow speed.  It pinched on the rim and tire a 1 inch gash in the sidewall and scuffed it a little bit.  I called the emergency roadside service included with the car.  By the time the tow truck showed up the local dealership was closed.  They do not tow anywhere else...so the next morning and $250 later I had a new tire.

 

I really didn't hit the curb hard and I hit it where it tapers down to flat.  Any other tire seemed like it would survive.  I've done this plenty with every other car I've owned.

I have this hunch that the special LRR tires are trading off durability for mileage in one way or another.

[RaPieR]

Unless you're driving a police unit, I doubt any consumer tire is designed to withstand a curb hit at speed.

 

I have to drive up a curb to park in Toronto.  Haven't had any issues with the C-Max vs. the Speed3 creeping up the curb.

[ScubaDadMiami]

On a previous Mustang, I did the same kind of thing, about 25 years ago.  You'd be surprised at how little it takes for the side wall to go from direct contact impacts and "scrapes."  Plus, they always seem to get the kind of tear, not puncture, that can't be repaired.

 

I purchased the extended tire warranty for my C-MAX.  I hope I don't ever have to use it.  I'll still call it money well spent if I don't.

 

Sorry for your loss.

Edited June 6, 2013 by ScubaDadMiami

[Jus-A-CMax]

Crap, I did that one early morning, turned too quick. No rim damage but after reading the OP, I feel like I got away with murder. Sorry to hear your loss OP, better luck next time.

[mtb9153]

Crap, I did that one early morning, turned too quick. No rim damage but after reading the OP, I feel like I got away with murder. Sorry to hear your loss OP, better luck next time.

Guess I've been lucky because many times when I back my Max into the garage, I mis judge my angle approaching from the street while looking at the rearview camera to line up the colored lines with my driveway and the garage opening and have repeatedly backed the left rear tire into the curb at about 2-3mph.  Obviously I'm backing up crooked as I back up off the street onto the driveway.  Not too good at backing up straight.

[Hatchman]

Michelin tires aren't known for blowing out with a slight tap against a curb.  How fast where you going when you say "slow speed"?  Slow speed like barely rolling or slow speed like 10 miles under the speed limit? 

 

I've seen my wife hit a curb while dong a u turn in the C-Max.  She hit the curb "at speed" (10 mph) at an angle while doing a you turn.  I watched the tire jump the curb while at an angle with the steering wheel full locked to the left.  The whole car jumped in the air over the curb and kept going.  Got home an inspected and besides a little tire shine scrubbed off, all was fine. She didn't know i was driving behind her and thought I didn't see it.  Yes, will probably need to check the alignment. 

 

Sorry about the tire, but from what I have seen and experienced, it would take a pretty good lick to blow out a tire.  

[obob]

Perhaps a little over inflation may help in this area as well as in the better mileage area.  These low profile tires may be more vulnerable to this sort of thing.

[sm02463]

It was probably 5-10 mph, I was doing a u-turn and then quickly turned right into a strip mall parking lot.  I'm still getting used to what I consider a pretty poor turning radius for this size car.  Fortunately, that is the biggest complaint I can come up with this car.