DE2158988

A localized area of reduced thickness is provided on a vehicle wheel. One side of the localized area is exposed to tire inflation pressure while the other side of the area is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The area is located at the region in which the likelihood of crack propagation through the section due to fatigue failure of the wheel is at a maximum and circumferential propagation of a failure is at a minimum. The thickness of the reduced area is determined from the wheel characteristic so that a crack failure will occur at the localized area, resulting in a gradual release of pressure from the tire, before circumferential failure occurs.