Can A Puncture In A Tire Sidewall Be Repaired

How we repair tire punctures (but not to sidewalls)

Shards of metals, screws and nails, even scissors—at Kal Tire, we've seen information technology all when it comes to tire punctures. Whatever the cause, in that location'south but 1 safe solution: a plug and patch repair combination for most tread punctures, and replacing the tire for sidewall punctures. Here's why and how nosotros repair tire punctures to the tread.

Why to avert plug just or patch only tire repairs

Yeah, information technology's possible to buy jumpsuit plug only or patch-but tire repair kits, but on their own, a plug or patch compromises the integrity of the tire and can lead to tire failure. EVERY puncture requires a patch/plug combination.

When you only install a plug there is a stiff take a chance information technology won't hold the air by itself compared to installing a patch under it. Ultimately, plug only tin result in failure while driving. When you merely install a patch, in that location is a stiff likely-hood that water volition come into the hole and dethrone the inner tire construction which tin issue in failure while driving.

Why the plug/patch combination is best for punctures repairs

Kal Tire recommends i of two methods:

the two-piece patch/plug combination
the 1-slice 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 exist no greater than a i/four inches for passenger tires and no greater than 3/8 inches for light truck tires.

At Kal Tire, when nosotros repair tread punctures, we use both plugs and patches simultaneously as recommended by the Rubber Manufacturer's Clan.

When a tire puncture should not be repaired

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

If repairs overlap (a plug has to fill up the puncture and and then exist covered by a patch).
If a puncture is larger than ¼ inch in diameter (passenger vehicles) or iii/8 inch (light duty trucks).
If a flat tire saturday for besides long or was driven on for too long
If the puncture is on the shoulder (where there is no tread) or sidewall

Why tires with punctured sidewalls tin can't be repaired

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

The patch won't hold - Tires have cords that run all around the tread of the tire, the function the makes contact with the road. But on the sidewall, those cords aren't there. And so, there'due south just no mode for a plug to fill that pigsty. The patch won't hold, and it'southward 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 best, and that ways it isn't safe.

Even at ho-hum speeds, your tire is now susceptible to a blowout and the hazard of serious injuries for anybody in your vehicle and the vehicles effectually you.

When you have a sidewall puncture on your hands, the all-time thing to do is supercede the tire.

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