I think the tire machine did this during installation or removal. I don't know if it will still hold air. If I use my finger to force apart the torn rubber, making the gap wider, I can see some white cords in there, but at rest the gap stays closed as seen in the picture. Is this tire safe to use again, or is it garbage now?

 

Nope that tire is trash now. Even if it held air would you want yours and loved ones life riding on it?

 

I guess now I'm confused. Why is it trashed?

 

No way. Bead integrity is way to crucial for me. I had 2 tires with roughly 75% and 50% tread life that were trashed like this and worse. Cheesed me off as I was going to keep them as spares. Ended up getting one more new tire out of the place, but still had to pony up $80 on a near $200 tire. Needless to say, I have little trust for this place- I was very clear I was keeping those things to use.

In short- complain if they ruined a usable tire. Maybe you get a 5th tire at cost...maybe not. With some care, I have to think this is avoidable...

 

it seals on the sides, not on that lip

there are steel corded bands on the lip of the tire just outside where that is.

 

I've run them worse than that.

 

If the tire is in good shape otherwise I would mount it but I would have your tire tech use some bead sealer in that area to ensure you don't have any slow leaks. I used to see that allot when I worked in the tire business. When tires are repeatly mounted and removed that will happen eventually or if you get a lazy installer that doesn't use enough gorilla snot (tire lube). While it is not ideal the bead strength has not been compromised so much as its ability to seal against your wheel.

 

I wouldn't run it but that's me. Maybe you would consider it ok but when you see accidents on the road with your loved ones injured or dead think back to that post where you asked "is it safe". Maybe you should have asked is my life worth $300.00?