How To Repair A Punctured Tire

How we repair tire punctures (but not to sidewalls)

Shards of metals, screws and nails, even pair of scissors—at Kal Tire, we've seen it all when it comes to tire punctures. Whatever the crusade, in that location's just ane condom solution: a plug and patch repair combination for almost tread punctures, and replacing the tire for sidewall punctures. Here's why and how we repair tire punctures to the tread.

Why to avoid plug only or patch but tire repairs

Yes, information technology's possible to buy one-slice plug merely or patch-only tire repair kits, but on their ain, a plug or patch compromises the integrity of the tire and tin lead to tire failure. EVERY puncture requires a patch/plug combination.

When y'all simply install a plug there is a strong hazard it won't hold the air by itself compared to installing a patch nether it. Ultimately, plug only can result in failure while driving. When you only install a patch, in that location is a potent likely-hood that h2o will come into the hole and degrade the inner tire construction which can issue in failure while driving.

Why the plug/patch combination is best for punctures repairs

Kal Tire recommends 1 of two methods:

the two-piece patch/plug combination
the one-piece patch/plug combination

Technically, the two-piece plug/patch combination is required for a puncture if the injury angle exceeds 35 degrees. The injury can be no greater than a ane/4 inches for passenger tires and no greater than three/viii inches for light truck tires.

At Kal Tire, when nosotros repair tread punctures, we use both plugs and patches simultaneously as recommended by the Safety Manufacturer'south Association.

When a tire puncture should not be repaired

There are some scenarios when information technology's safer to replace your tire than to repair it:

If repairs overlap (a plug has to fill the puncture so be covered by a patch).
If a puncture is larger than ¼ inch in diameter (passenger vehicles) or 3/8 inch (light duty trucks).
If a apartment tire sabbatum for too long or was driven on for too long
If the puncture is on the shoulder (where in that location is no tread) or sidewall

Why tires with punctured sidewalls can't be repaired

Unfortunately, sidewall punctures on rider or light truck tires tin't exist repaired. That's considering:

The patch won't hold - Tires accept cords that run all effectually the tread of the tire, the part the makes contact with the road. Merely on the sidewall, those cords aren't in that location. And then, there'southward just no mode for a plug to fill up that hole. The patch won't concur, and it'due south going to continue to leak.
Sidewall puncture repairs compromise the integrity of your tire - Even if a patch were placed over a sidewall puncture, the fact is, your tire is no longer able to perform at is all-time, and that means it isn't safe.

Even at slow speeds, your tire is now susceptible to a blowout and the risk of serious injuries for everyone in your vehicle and the vehicles effectually you.

When y'all have a sidewall puncture on your hands, the best thing to do is supervene upon the tire.

If you drive a truck and y'all practise a lot of off-roading or driving in areas where your tires are susceptible to sidewall punctures, y'all might desire to consider ane of our all-terrain tires, which feature 3-plywall sidewall construction for added puncture resistance.

Source: https://www.kaltire.com/en/repair-tire-puncture.html