Tyres can sometimes face numerous amounts of damage for lots of different reasons. One of the main ways is through a puncture. The severity of damage to the tyre can only depend on which part of the tyre was punctured. This will ultimately determine whether the tyre can be recovered and repaired or not.
Repairable
You may think your tyres aren’t repairable, but tyre technology has come a long way. Look for the following signs:
If it has only been punctured by a tiny object such as a nail or a screw. Although these can cause only minor damage and create a slow puncture, they must be looked at and replaced ASAP. These can still cause blowouts at high speeds, which places everyone’s lives inside the car at risk.
If the puncture is less than 5mm in diameter. As it is only small, the puncture can be properly sealed and the car can be back on the road in no time.
If the puncture took place throughout the central portion of the tread. The majority of punctures occur in between the shoulders of the tyre and therefore it is possible that it can be fixed.
How a Repair is Done
The main purpose of repairing a tyre is to ensure that no moisture or external objects get inside the tyre. Before doing any repairs, the tyre must be properly checked over to ensure where exactly the puncture is. To do this requires removal, deflation and complete inspection of the tyre from inside. Internal support is often improved by adding a patch over the top of the hole.
Tyred of those frustrating roadside stops? Try making an investment in a run-flat tyre. These tyres are designed to keep full functionality with no air pressure in the tyre itself. This allows you to drive for up to 50 miles, getting you safely to the nearest garage, where it can then be checked over. Another key factor in having these is a tyre pressure monitoring system or TPSM.
With a TPSM, an alert is displayed on the console showing you that you have suffered a tyre puncture and that it needs to be changed. A great example of this would be Dunlop’s Sport Maxx RT2 tyre. Dunlop is an exceptional brand that still strives for leadership in tyre development and it is shown through there products.
Not Repairable
Unfortunately, many tyres take enough damage that just simply isn’t recoverable. These are shown below:
If the puncture is very large and deep then the tyre won’t be able to function properly and the hole would be larger than 55mm. Far too much air would escape, making the tyre irreparable.
If there is internal damage to the tyre. A deep puncture could result in internal damage, which would affect the tyres function and compromise its overall safety.
If the sidewall of a tyre is punctured. Unlike the tread area on a tyre, the sidewall can’t be repaired. The sidewall is also vital to the function and structure of a tyre, meaning any damage would be a major red flag.
How to Choose a Replacement
A huge selection of tyres is available nowadays, which is great when picking a replacement tyre. You must choose one that is suited for your type of driving, or the type of environment that you drive in. It is also massively important to select the right size for your car. Most importantly though, the quality of the tyre is paramount. As previously mentioned, Dunlop is an exceptional brand that provides high-quality tyres that ensure long life and optimum performance. Our top recommendations would be the previously mentioned Sport Maxx RT2, the Sport Maxx RT and the Sportmaxx GT.
You can also check out the full range of Dunlop tyres here.
Hopefully, this article has stopped you feeling a little deflated and has given you the knowledge to notice the signs earlier. If you do need a replacement, start your journey at ASDA Tyres.