It’s easy to learn how to change a flat tire and install your spare. What’s not as easy is knowing when your flat tire can’t be repaired or patched, and when it will need to be replaced with a new tire. Here are 8 indicators you may need a new tire.
- The tire has a sudden loss of air and you drive on it flat. This can cause internal damage, which can’t be fixed.
- The sidewall has a puncture, a cut exposing the cord, or a visible bubble or bulge.
- The shoulder has damage (more than cosmetic), such as a small puncture.
- You spot a bulge on the tread or sidewall (following an impact, etc.).
- There’s a gash deep enough to expose the nylon or steel belts (which are part of the internal structural components of the tire).
- The size of the gash or hole in the tread is greater than one-quarter inch.
- The tire has been repaired before and the new damage is close to the previous repair.
- If for any reason the repair exceeds the tire manufacturer’s recommendations.
When to Patch a Flat Tire?
Patch repair is probably the most frequently used method to fix a flat tire. A tyre patch is common and cheaper and faster to apply especially when the puncture has been caused by small items such as nails or screws.
But patching isn’t always possible, and when it is not, the practical differences are tiny: common code works almost as well so higher code works just as well. Here’s when a patch may suffice:
Location of the Damage:
If the puncture is located in the tread and it’s not near the side wall then a patch will be quite useful. Handling of sidewall damages is dangerous as this area is structural.
Size of the Hole:
In most cases, if punctured to a size of less than 6mm (1/4 inch), the puncture is defined as patchable. A puncture that creates a big hole or gash is likely to compromise the overall structure of the tire and therefore requires replacement.
Number of Punctures:
One prick is well-healed; Needle pricking can be fixed in one blow; A pinprick is well-doctored. Several punctures when they occur in a short interval significantly reduce the strength of the tire, so it may be better to replace it than to risk going through a puncture-repair process.
Patching is considerably cheaper than a full replacement of the flooring and should be done by a professional to guarantee the structure’s safety in the future.
Related Article: How To Fix Flat Tire?
When to Replace a Tire?
Sometimes the puncture is irreversible, and the only thing one can do is replace the flat tire. Learning the difference between the tire patch versus replace situation is helpful for saving costs, and time, as well as overcoming security hazards.
- Severe Damage: Venezuela’s main issues are big holes, side hits, or full blowouts that cannot be repaired. If the problem is systemic, in other words, if there is a structural compromise of the tire in some manner, then replacement is the only responsible option.
- Worn-Out Tires: If you measure the tread on the tire and it is bald, or almost at the legal limit of 1.6mm, then a replacement is required. It is at most fixing a worn-out tire and at least risky to allow a driver to continue driving with a patched-up tire on the road.
- Multiple Repairs: The tires that completed several patching or repair services in the past should not be used on the car any longer. In such circumstances, it gives you a guarantee of optimum performance and safety than if you didn’t replace the tire.
This procedure takes 60-90 minutes to be done properly.
How to Handle a Flat Tire Emergency?
A flat tire is inconvenient but manageable if you follow these steps:
- Pull Over Safely: If there’s an indication of a flat, slow down gently and then move to the side of the road where you will not be intrusive to other drivers.
- Assess the Damage: Check out the tire to find out what type of damage it has incurred. This lets you decide whether you want self-patched, a new one or you need professional help.
- Call for Help if Necessary: Of course, when it comes to getting flat tires there are times when it can be very risky should you not have the proper equipment or the skills when it comes to repair the problem; in such occurrences, you need to seek help for tire emergencies.
- Use a Spare Tire: If you have an extra tire and know how to put it on the car then put it on to keep going before taking it to an expert for a good fix.
Preventative Measures for Flat Tires
While you can’t always avoid a flat, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:
- Check Tire Pressure Regularly:
Tires that are inflated to the correct pressure take less punishment from sharp objects on the road or by contact with other cars. - Inspect Tires for Wear and Tear:
Every day you have to check on your tires to determine that it’s in good condition, with no indication of say, uneven wear, crack, or a foreign object lodged in the rubber. - Avoid Hazardous Areas:
It is inadvisable to drive through a construction area or any region with visible obstacles.
Non-Repairable Tires
In some cases, the tire can’t be repaired due to the location or severity of the damage. If the tire meets any of the non-repairable guidelines below, it’s time to buy a new tire.
1. Puncture Outside the Repair Area
- If the tire is punctured in any way outside of the Puncture Repair Area, the tire cannot be repaired safely.
- True tire repairs are limited to the middle, or “crown” area of the tire.
- The crown is defined as the center of the tread, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in from each shoulder. For most tires, the puncture repair area can also be defined by the first major groove on both shoulders.
2. Size of Puncture
- The maximum repairable injury size for passenger and light truck tires through load range E is 1/4 inch, or 6mm in diameter.
- If the puncture in your tire is larger than the allowable repair size, the tire must be taken out of service.
3. Bulge or Bubble in Sidewall
- If there is a noticeable bubble in the sidewall of the tire, it has been damaged most likely by impacting a curb, pothole, or other type of road hazards.
- The resulting bulge or “bubble” in the sidewall is not repairable, and unfortunately, the tire must be taken out of service.
4. Say “No” to Tire Plugs
A tire plug is a sticky, expandable object that gets pushed into the damaged area of the tire from the outside and is adjusted until the air is no longer leaking from the tire. Although the leak may stop, it is easy to believe that the tire is repaired and good to go; unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Tire plugs are a quick fix and can fail over time. They can also potentially cause air to become trapped between the layers of tread, eventually causing the tread to separate and result in needing to buy a new tire.
Pros and Cons of Patching vs. Replacing a Damaged Tire
Pros of Patching
- Patches are often the cheaper option
- All four of your tires will continue to wear evenly as they have the same tread depth.
Cons of Patching
- Higher safety risk compared to replacing
- Patching can only be done once
Pros of Replacing
- Increased traction
- Better performance
- Increased safety
Cons of Replacing
- Replacing tires is often the more expensive option
- Replacing only one tire can lead to uneven wear due to different tread depths
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