Sidewall gash in new tire. Replace or drive?
 

Just noticed a nice ugly 1" long 1" wide gash on one of my new front tires.

The rubber material is still there...it just pulls away from where the cut is.

The question is: If the cut is such that I don't see any chords or anything and the cut is ONLY into the rubber material of the sidewall, does that make it ok to drive on the tire?

Normally if this tires had 10-20K mil on it, I'd just go ahead and replace it. BUT, this tire only has about 500mi. on it!! and it'll cost nearly $100 to replace.

If the gash is not deep, like how you described, I would personally just keep driving with it...where do you think the gash came from? Was it on the tire when you bought it, and only just noticed it? If so, you could probably take it back for a new one...another route is that some tire shops have road hazard warranty on the tire (usually pro-rated), and will replace the tire...you might check with with the shop or look at the invoice to see if that was included if you have not done so already...good luck!

Gash looks to be about 1/4" deep....and no, this gash is something new since I bought the tires :( really makes me sick.

I'll find out tomorrow what the 'included' prorated road hazard warranty will do for me.

ouch...1" x 1" and 1/4" deep...that sounds bad :( definitely check with the shop...I hope you the best of luck...plz do tell us the outcome...

Drive car to tire shop only.

second that recommendation. but i would go further.

sidewall damage such as this cannot be repaired. personally, i would change the tire. drive to the tire shop on your spare, and buy a new tire.

The fact that you only have 500 miles on this tire, is all the more reason to replace it.
It would be more of a dilemma, if the rest of your tires was half worn, and you were stuck with the choice of replacing one or both.
Sidewall damage is very serious business !

Road Hazard won't do anything. Not until the tire is damaged to where it doesn't hold air. But most road hazards are pro-rated. So if you still have 10/32 or 10/32...you get a new tire, just have to pay mounting and balancing all over again as well as a new road hazard for that tire.

But if it holds air....o well. It safe to drive I guess.