Mechanic Works On Customer's Car. Then He Intentionally Damages The Tires. Then He Reveals Why

A mechanic sparked a debate after revealing that he intentionally damages discarded tires before getting rid of them.

Mechanic @greaseandglory, a Kia technician who shares car-related tips online, explained why he does not want people to take used tires from his shop and resell them.

“Slashing all of our discarded tires so the parasites who take them can’t resell them to innocent people,” @greaseandglory wrote in the text overlay of his TikTok, which showed him puncturing holes in several tires.

In the caption, he explained why he says he does it.

“Slashing all of the used tires we discarded because these people come take them after hours to resell them to unsuspecting customers. Some of these tires have bubbles, uneven wear patterns, or punctures,” he wrote.

While some viewers praised @greaseandglory for trying to keep potentially unsafe tires off the road, others argued that the tires could still be useful to people who cannot afford new ones.

The disagreement sparked a larger debate in the comments over what should happen to tires after shops decide they are no longer safe to use.

As of this writing, his video has garnered more than 1.9 million views.

Why Do Shops Cut Up Old Tires? 

While intentionally damaging a tire might seem wasteful, @greaseandglory suggests that shops do it because they do not want tires they have already deemed unsafe to be reused. Industry groups warn that damaged or improperly repaired used tires can create safety risks if they are put back on the road.

Tires can be removed from service for several reasons, including worn-down tread, sidewall damage, cracks, bulges, or other signs of wear. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers should stop using tires that show certain types of damage because it can be dangerous.

That’s the concern @greaseandglory raised. He clarified that some of the tires his shop discards have issues that may not be obvious to someone who finds them later.

Once a tire is discarded, it doesn’t necessarily just end up in a landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that scrap tires can be reused in other ways, including being processed into materials for rubberized asphalt or other applications.

However, the debate in @greaseandglory’s comments shows why the issue is not always straightforward. Used tires—though risky to buy—are legal to buy and sell in many places, and for some drivers, they can be a cheaper alternative to buying new ones.

What matters is the tire’s condition. A properly inspected used tire is not the same as a tire that a technician has already flagged for damage or excessive wear.

That’s why some mechanics take extra steps before disposal. They want to prevent tires they believe are unsafe from being put back on another vehicle without the next driver knowing why they were removed.

Viewers Defend Used Tires

While @greaseandglory said he was trying to prevent unsafe tires from being resold, some commenters pushed back, arguing that destroying them could hurt drivers who cannot afford a brand-new set.

“Damn, I always went down to the used tire shop when I was young. Never had 1,000 bucks for a new set but I could get 4 with at least 50% tread from them for $200,” one person wrote. “I get the sentiment, but the used tire market is a big help to struggling people even if that means a [sleazeball] is making a few bucks in the process.”

Others questioned why the tires couldn’t be given away instead.

“Why didn’t you give them away for free?” one viewer asked.

To this, @greaseandglory responded, “Corporate dealership lawyer bs.”

Some commenters argued that the tires shown in the video still appeared usable.

“Those tires look not half bad lol,” one person said.

“If they ain’t cracking or broken belts, they good,” another argued.

Others said used tires can serve other purposes besides going back on a daily driver.

“Dude. We use them on our hay wagons and dump trailers,” one viewer shared. “They don’t need tread and rather [than] getting new tires that [aren’t] cheap we usually get them for free from local tire shops.”

Some viewers, though, questioned whether damaging the tires would actually solve the problem.

“They’ll still sell them lol,” one commenter predicted.

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Another added, “Oh, wow, congrats, you made it even worse, [they’re] still gonna take it and sell it, and since most of your slashes aren’t visible, they won’t know until they install it. Congratulations.”

Motor1 has reached out to @greaseandglory via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this story if we hear back.

 

 

 

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