Tire Repair vs. Tire Replacement
A flat tire. One of the most inconvenient instances we face as car owners. When it happens to us the first thing we do is run to the repair shop. But how do you know when the tire can be repaired as opposed to it being completely replaced? At Hooper’s we provide you with repair services or cheap used tires in Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY. So that when the time comes, we can help you decide between repairing and replacing without breaking the bank.
Here are some important things to know about tire repairs and replacements:
How To Know If It’s Not Repairable
If you run over a nail or other road debris and it punctures your tire, there is a specific area of the tire where a repair is possible. This area is on the tread face of the tire. Likewise, puncture repairs are limited to holes of ¼” or less in diameter. Cuts are not repairable if they are deep enough to have cut into one of the steel belts inside of your tire.
Sidewall Puncture
Unfortunately, if your tire has been punctured on its sidewall, it can’t be repaired. If you tried to repair it you would risk the repair failing setting you back again. The reasoning for the failure of the repair is because the sidewall of your tire flexes as you drive and the plug or patch will loosen. Also, the air in your tire is pressing out on its sidewalls under the weight of the vehicle when you drive. With the high pressure on the sidewall, any weak spot is prone to blow out at the spot where the tire was repaired.
Cuts And Gashes
Most tires are only repairable if the cut in your tire is ¼” long or less. Steel cords within the rubber of your tire are what gives it strength and cuts can sever these steel cords. In this situation, a repair would only temporarily keep the tire from losing air pressure, but would not restore the strength necessary for the tire to function properly. You might be wondering about the plug or patch option, but these repairs are designed to repair round holes. If your tire has cut or gash damage it’s unlikely that a plug or patch would effectively repair the tire.
Generally, a tire that’s been severely damaged in a collision cannot be repaired. Instances such as bulges, tread separation, slipped/broken belts, and big cuts or gashes as well as tires that were knocked off the rim by impact need to be replaced rather than repaired.
Severe Tire Damage
Overall, whether or not your tire needs to be repaired or replaced has several factors that go into it. It’s important that you always take care of your tires by ensuring they have the proper air pressure and not exposing them to things like extreme heat or cold. By doing so you can decrease your chances of a flat tire. However, when it does come time to replace your tires we at Hooper’s can provide you with cheap, used tires in Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY. And if you’re not sure if your tire can be repaired, we’d be happy to take a look and help diagnose the problem!