Tires - Damage Caused By Pressure Washer

90mercedes05
TO: OUR MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

DATE: November 1990


SUBJECT: TIRE DAMAGE CAUSED BY PRESSURE WASHER
REF. NO. 40/99

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Cleaning road wheels with a pressure washer can cause damage to the mounted tire.

Damage to the tire occurs mainly to the sidewall (arrow, Figures 1 and 2).

The applied water temperature itself is not of importance.

The pulsating water jet causes the tire to vibrate at the area under pressure. The friction heat created does not dissipate quickly enough and can cause localized overheating and melting damage.

Note: Tires damaged that way, must be replaced.

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Do not use round jet nozzles, because the water jet can damage a tire in less than one second from a distance of 75 cm (30 in.) when aimed at the same spot.

2. When using flat 25" fan jet nozzles and dirt removal tool, observe a minimum distance of 30 cm (12 in.). Do not direct water jet at the same spot of the tire, but move it around continuously.