To Repair or Not To Repair Your Tire
A flat tire doesn't always mean you need a brand new tire. Tires can often be repaired and continue to be road-worthy for the full life of the tire. Tires are safe to repair when:
- The tire was not driven while flat
- The sidewall is not damaged
- Any puncture is ¼” or less
Patching a Tire Verses Plugging
Any tire damage should first be assessed with a visual inspection that requires the tire to be removed from the vehicle. The best and safest way to repair a tire is with a patch. Avoid repairing your tire with a "plug". This type of repair is not as reliable or safe as a patch.
Industry Recommendations
For your safety, tires should always be repaired in accordance with industry recommended procedures.
Some suggested practices are:
- Tire should be demounted from the wheel
- The inside and outside of the tire should be carefully
inspected.
- Patches should be used rather than plugs
- Repairs should not be made when the puncture is located in the sidewall area