Slashing tires is something that many people do because they believe it’s a quick and easy way to get revenge on someone (which is not a recommended practice).
However, drivers need to be aware of several things such as technique, legality and more in order to identify when their tires have been slashed and how to handle the situation. If you’d like to learn more, keep reading!
How To Slash Tires
Slashing tires involves using a sharp object (i.e a knife screwdriver or nail) to make a cut in the rubber so it deflates. Factors such as technique, making sure there’s as little noise as possible and how fast you want the tire to deflate are all elements to consider. However, note that slashing tires is illegal in many places and is not encouraged.
Read on to learn more about slashing tires, including how its done, the techniques used, the penalties involved for slashing tires and other interesting facts!
How Do I Slash Tires Quickly?
When deciding which tool you’re going to use to slash tires, ensure that it’s sharp enough to cut into the rubber in one motion without having to struggle with it.
Next, aim for the tire’s sidewall or shoulder (where tread meets sidewall) because these are the weakest parts of the tire – the tread usually has a belt made of steel cords running right underneath it so slashing that area of the tire likely wouldn’t work.
Next, push the pointed side of your tool with enough force to penetrate the rubber and either pull it out immediately or drag it to create a slit.
When using a tool with a handle, such as a knife or screwdriver, as soon as the pointed end hits the sidewall, give it a push by bumping the handle so you have a better chance of creating a cut on the first try.
How Do I Slash Tires Silently?
Slashing tires usually creates a loud sound, because a lot of air escapes the tire at once (the sound could even occur in the form of a boom if the tire pressure is high enough).
Therefore, you should slash in a direction that’s not facing your direction, as the rush of air could be powerful enough to cause serious injuries.
In order to slash a tire silently, then, you can remove air from the tire to bring its pressure down by loosening the valve.
Can You Slash Tires With A Knife?
You can slash a tire with a knife, but you would need to acquire one that’s sharp enough to slash the tires thoroughly.
As stated above, all you need to slash a tire effectively is a sharp tool like a knife, but you can’t just grab one from your kitchen drawer and use it to cut up a tire.
Instead, you’ll need a knife that’s really sharp and strong, as the rubber used in tires has been vulcanized (hardened) so it can more easily penetrate the surface.
As well, using the pointed end instead of the blade to penetrate tire rubber is more effective because it focuses all your force onto a smaller surface area.
How Long Does A Slashed Tire Take To Deflate?
The size of the tire, the amount of pressure inside the tire and the size of the puncture you make will account for how long it takes a slashed tire to deflate.
For example, if you make a small hole using something like a nail, the tire could take hours to deflate, while a gash created by a strong blade could deflate within minutes.
Further, a gash that’s 1 inch wide could deflate a standard tire in less than a minute.
Can A Tire With A Slash Be Repaired?
A slashed tire can be repaired with a plug or a patch depending on the size of the puncture, though this isn’t an advisable move.
As stated above, the sidewall is the preferable area to create a slash because it’s easier to access than the tread and, more importantly, it’s weak enough to puncture.
This weakness is because the sidewall doesn’t have the steel belt found in the tread, and this affects their integrity after becoming breached.
Therefore, the likelihood of the sidewall remaining plugged is slim and may result in a roadside accident.
In fact, repairing the sidewall and tire shoulder after either becomes punctured is actually illegal in some places due to the risks involved.
Is It Illegal To Slash Tires?
It’s illegal to slash tires in most lands, but the seriousness of the charge varies in every area.
Usually, tire slashing is regarded as a misdemeanor carrying a charge of vandalism or destruction of property. However, depending on the extent of the damage, like in the case of expensive tires, slashing could be treated as a direct felony.
As well, your motives are also considered in the charge and you could be taken to court for trying to intimidate the victim. Overall, slashing tires is highly punishable by law and isn’t recommended.
Why Do People Slash Tires?
People will generally slash tires as an act of revenge. However, if the intention is for the tire to lose air and not make someone go through the trouble of replacing it entirely, loosening the valve is an alternative and less violent action that some may choose.
What Should I Do If My Tires Get Slashed?
As stated above, you shouldn’t (and in some places, probably couldn’t) repair the sidewall or shoulder – the most targeted areas for slashing – and should instead look into replacing the tire.
Does Insurance Cover Slashed Tires?
Some auto insurance packages cover slashed tires if you go for the more comprehensive coverage options.
Many think that insurance only covers four slashed tires and will not help you if only three tires are slashed, but this is largely a misconception.
Rather, if your package allows it, your insurance provider will cover the number of tires that get slashed, whether it’s one or all of them.
Can Someone Prove I Slashed Their Tires?
Slashing tires isn’t considered a high-priority crime, meaning fewer resources will be used to uncover the person responsible for the damage. However, it’s still possible for someone to prove that you slashed their tires.
For example, you may have been caught on CCTV cameras, which are commonly found in areas where people leave their cars (i.e garages and parking lots).
To learn more about tires, you can also read our posts on why do dogs peen on tires, sidewall tire damage, why only slash 3 tires, how to prove someone slashed your tires, and what are tire kickers.
Conclusion
You can slash tires by puncturing the tire sidewall or shoulder using something sharp like a knife, screwdriver or nail. However, slashing tires is illegal and could be treated as anything from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the damage you cause.
Nevertheless, slashing the tires is easier when you target the shoulder or sidewall because, unlike the tread, they’re easily accessible and don’t have an underlying steel belt.