New tire, barcode on bead WTF

Ordered some new Michelin tires for my wife's RAV4. Shipped online, there were sticker's everywhere on the tires. I started removing one on the bead, thought wow they really stuck this one on here, didn't use anything but my fingernails, give a good tug and a ton of rubber came off. WTF?

No way this will hold air right? Not too sure what to do, I'll probably have to suck it up and buy a new one. Lesson learned I guess.

 

It will hold air just fine; the sealing part of the bead is unaffected.

 

Is the sealing part right above? That sticker really should be stamped do not remove.

 

No, right below. The bead seat is what actually seals the tire against the rim; the bead heel (the part with the sticker) just sits against the flange of the wheel, to hold the tire in place.


Edit- Diagram.

 

1) Wheel Flange: Holds the tire on the wheel
2) Bead Hump/Retainer: keeps a seated bead from slipping out of place if pressure is lost
3) Chafer: Prevents chafing damage to the cord plies from the rim flange
4) Bead Seat/Sole: Creates an airtight seal against the rim
5) Bead: Woven steel cable that anchors the bead to the wheel, preventing the sealing surface from expanding beyond the flange
6) Bead Heel: contact point of the tire against the wheel flange, to hold the tire on the wheel. Typically will have enough flex to accommodate different flange profile angles.

 

Michelin has been doing this for years. The placement of the bar code also corresponds with the valve locator. They use that instead of a paint mark. Tyre is fine, “ it will seal...”

 

I sent a picture and explained exactly what I did in the first post. Tire rack wants me to send it back and has a new tire on it's way to me. No cost to me. Very happy with them, ended up saving quite a bit on those tires buying from them.

However, lesson learned, don't take that sticker off!