Stretched tires are an aesthetic modification resulting from mounting narrow tires onto a wider wheel. They look pretty cool, but they come with increased safety risks (and insurance complications).

The legality and safety of stretched tires are a bit ambiguous. While they won’t cause you to get immediately pulled over, you might be blamed more heavily if you get into an accident.

Whatever questions you have about stretched tires,

Jerry

the

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, has got you covered. While the process of installing stretched tires is best left to professionals, we can help you with our expertise in

car insurance

and car ownership. Let’s dive in.

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What is tire stretching?

Tire stretching is a process where you mount narrow tires on wider wheels. The name comes from the way that the tires must stretch to fit onto the rims.

The fit of stretched tires is imperfect by nature, but the result is aesthetically attractive to some people. Note that there are no performance benefits to stretched tires—on the contrary, they can sometimes contribute to dangerous driving conditions.

Are stretched tires safe?

Stretched tires do present some safety risks.

Without a proper seal between the rim and the tire, your risk of a tire blowout with stretched tires is higher. With standard tires, a bump in the road isn’t a serious concern. However, stretched tires mean that a single pothole could suddenly deflate your tires.

Another risk is curbing the alloy, where the hubcaps or wheels are scraped against the curb.

Finally, stretched tires can lead to tire damage due to irregular treadwear. This means that you may need to spend more money to

replace your tires

sooner if you choose to stretch them.

MORE: How to fix alloy rim scratches

Are stretched tires legal?

While there’s no law against stretched tires, they are still considered a bit of a gray area. They are generally frowned upon by law enforcement.

Furthermore, if you get into an accident with stretched tires, they may be used as an argument against you in court.

On top of this, stretched wheels are legally considered a modification. As such, car insurance companies must be informed of such changes. The insurance company is entitled to refuse to insure you and your modified vehicle. If you don’t inform them and then get into an accident, the company can reject you for coverage.

Key Takeaway Stretched tires are legal, but they make obtaining insurance coverage more difficult and are generally frowned upon by insurance companies and law enforcement.

MORE: Illegal car modifications to avoid

Popular tires for stretching

Here are the most commonly used brands for stretched tires:

Nankang

Falken

TOYO

Bridgestone

Dunlop

The best approach is to start by aiming for minimal stretch, for safety and legality purposes.

Can you stretch your own tires?

Yes, you can stretch your own tires, but it is fairly dangerous. If you attempt this process yourself, be sure to have a fire extinguisher handy.

Note that stretching tires is not recommended and you choose to pursue this modification at your own risk.

Step 1. Gather your materials. The best wheels are steel wheels from the brands listed above. Lay the tire and the rim flat on a safe workspace.

Step 2. Apply soap and water to the bead of the tire with a paintbrush. This will allow you to slip it on with minimal friction.

Step 3. Prepare a tire spoon or a long flat head screwdriver to help get the bead over the rim.

Step 4. Once the wheel is properly fitted over the rim, clean it well. Then spray a flammable substance (such as brake cleaner) around the inner tire. Keep your fire extinguisher handy.

Step 5. Connect an air compressor to the tire. Light the flammable substance on the inner tire. Move quickly to stretch the tire while the rubber is expanded due to the heat. When beaded, compress to correct PSI.

Car insurance and car modifications

Wheels and tires are highly engineered products to fit perfectly. Altering them can have dangerous results.

Sure, the aesthetic of stretched tires can be really cool—but the practicality and risks may not justify them. This is especially true when you realize that you could inadvertently cancel out your

car insurance

policy, leaving you without coverage in an accident.

If you have a modified vehicle, be aware that stretched tires may void your insurance. Regardless, you can use

Jerry

to navigate complicated car insurance situations. The free app can help you create a policy, shop around with different providers, and unlock discounts.