Phoenix Flat Tire Repair
Most Phoenix drivers know if you’re on the road long enough, eventually most everyone will need flat tire repair and the inconvenience that come along with it. Sometimes, if the damage is minor enough, you may be able to get away with changing the tire yourself and then getting it repaired. However, in many cases, a repair may be unsafe and you should get a replacement. But how do you know if your tire can be saved by a repair or if it needs replacement?
If you run over a nail or some other sharp debris that punctures your tire, then a simple repair may still be possible. If the puncture is on the tread face of the tire, between the grooves, or, on tires with tread patterns that don’t have grooves that wrap around them, no closer than 2 inches to where the shoulder meets the sidewall, then it can be patched. The hole also must be 1/4” or smaller in diameter. Cuts are not repairable if they are deep enough to have cut into one of the steel belts inside of your tire. Unfortunately, if the puncture is on the sidewall or on the shoulder area of the tire (less than two inches from the sidewall), the tire needs to be replaced. This is because these areas are under the most pressure and constantly flex as you drive, which can eventually cause a tire patch or plug in that area to come loose and cause a blowout while you drive. Although the tire may hold air again, its strength will be compromised, and taking it on the road will be a danger to you and the drivers around you.
If you have a cut in your tire, it is most likely can’t be safely repaired unless it is less than 1/4” long. Patches or plugs are designed to repair round holes in tires and will not be as effective at repairing a cuts or gashes, and it has most likely severed the steel cords inside of the tire that give it its strength. If your tire has a cut or gash, it is highly recommended that you get it replaced.
If you drive on a flat tire or with low air pressure, you can quickly damage the tire beyond repair. When part of the sidewall makes contact with the road, the inner liner of the sidewall will wear away, weakening the sidewall of the tire so severely it can not be repaired. This is why it is important to regularly check your tire pressure at least once a month to make sure that you maintain the correct air pressure, and if you get a flat tire, to stop driving immediately in case the issue is repairable. Some good news it if you keep your tires pressure up-to-spec will help you maintain better gas millage.
It should go without saying, but tires with severe damage such as bulges, tread separation, broken or slipped belts, bead damage, and large cuts or gashes are not repairable and should be replaced immediately. If your tire has borderline damage that may or may not be repairable, the safest option is always to replace it. Repairing a tire that may or may not be safe can risk you a tire blowout, which could easily lead to severe loss of control and result in a collision, causing you much bigger problems and more damage to your vehicle.
Always keep your vehicle in good condition and ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and those around you! If you believe your vehicle’s tire need service or are not sure and would like to have them inspected, contact Perez Auto Repair online via phone 602-269-3576 or stop into our facility located at 429 S. 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.