It has happened to most of us. We're on our way to school or work, and we hear that dreaded sound of a flat tire or a blowout. Some sort of debris in the road has left you with a damaged tire and an immobile vehicle. This situation always brings on frustration. Now you must deal with getting your car to a tire repair shop. The tire has to be properly assessed to perform the necessary repair or replacement service. Depending on where the puncture is located and the severity of the damage, the tire will either only need a simple repair or be replaced.
Tires are crucial to the safe performance of our vehicles. For the continued safety of your car, mechanics must utilize the best possible way to fix your tire. The availability of options leads to some debate over what is the "best" way to fix a tire and keep your vehicle safe. Is a patch repair sufficient, or do I need to replace the tire? Learn what a mechanic considers when determining which tire repair method is best for your tires.
When is tire patching an option for tire repair?
- If you’ve got a tire that’s been punctured by a nail or another object, the tire can be fixed, but only as long as the puncture is in the tread area and doesn’t measure more than 1/4 of an inch in diameter.
- If the puncture is in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire, you’ve got to ditch the tire and get a new one. Safety first! (TireIndustry.org)
- If there’s more than one puncture, you likely can get the tire repaired if the punctures are at least 16 inches apart. Otherwise, it’s time to buy a new tire.
- If the tire has sustained serious damage in a crash, such as big cuts or tread separation, it should be replaced, not repaired.
When to Replace a Damaged Tire?
Nobody wants to replace a new tire or a tire with plenty of tread still left. But the reality is that our safety should always come first. Your tires are your most important automotive part and the only automotive part that touches the road. The deciding factors on whether a tire can be repaired depend on how much damage has occurred and where the damage is located. The following situations will always warrant a new tire:
- Any damage to the shoulder or sidewall of the tire
- Large holes anywhere in the tire of more than ¼" in diameter
- Evidence of any severe damage, such as tread separation or large gashes
- The tire is damaged in a previously repaired area
The most important thing to remember is that any tire damage is a safety hazard and should be dealt with immediately. Your tires need to be checked and maintained regularly for damage, wear and tear, and lifespan. Replacing damaged tires is always safer, but some tire damage can be safely repaired to give you thousands of miles more use from your tire.
