We got a flat the other night...I've heard conflicting reports, with some people saying that as long as we aren't racing it's ok...some have said that any repair is unsafe and the tire needs to be replaced immediately...some have said that it lowers the rating...and the car will only be safe to drive at 120 instead of 160...we don't drive 120 anyway. Is there anyone who can help?
2007-01-08 10:31:27 · 4 answers · asked by sosassy70 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Don't sue me if it blows out on you, but I'll say that a repair is safe and long as you're not racing. Assuming you patch and don't plug. Never plug a tire. It's a cheap way to go.
If you've got a minor puncture, repair is accomplished with a patch of rubber glued to the inside of the tire, which should last for the life of the tire, assuming the glue doesn't give out - which is possibly why you'd get a warning about racing - heat might cause the glue to liquify and the patch could loosen - although I've never seen it happen.
2007-01-08 10:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by SoCalSkierGuy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A repair will void the speed rating on the tire - in other words, it is no longer Z-rated. The repaired tire is technically the same as a tire with no speed rating at all.
In terms of safety, as long as a proper repair (internal patch or patch-plug) was done and done correctly, it should be "safe" for regular street driving. The #1 job of the tire is after all, to hold air.
I wouldn't take a repaired tire to the track but for street driving, no worries.
I've been in the tire business for about 5 years BTW so no, I'm not just guessing.
2007-01-08 13:07:50 · answer #2 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your tolerance for risk.
Is a repaired tire weaker than an intact tire? Absolutely. Will it be sufficiently weaker that you're taking on a lot of risk? Maybe. Sidewall punctures are riskier to fix than tread punctures; the type and size matters, too.
If you carry kids in your car, or you like to drive fast (not racing), or you simply have enough money to afford the safest solution, replace the tire. If you're low on funds or just carry yourself, go ahead and fix it, but use a reputable shop who will give you a warranty on the repair, and keep the state of the tire in mind when you consider driving fast.
Oh, and keep the tire pressures within a safe range, so the repair will stay intact.
2007-01-08 11:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by daveowenville 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on exactly what the problem is. I've had holes put in a tire as big as a pencil patched and had it be OK - if the hole is in the tread area. A hole in the sidewall of that size probably isn't repairable, and sometimes driving on a flat tire can trash the sidewall. Bring it in to a reputable tire shop and have the pros decide.
2007-01-08 12:27:38 · answer #4 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋