Just out tire surface
Most drivers hold experienced a Apartment lodgings tire at one eternity or another. Tire problems are conventional, as rubber tires wear outside over clock and can be damaged relatively easily by glass and metal debris. Replacing a tire, or a complete establish of tires, can be expensive. Thankfully, there are many options for repairing a tire that can be done in an emergency longitude or by crack Car technicians.
What's the Best Repair Option?
Whenever a tire is flat or damaged, the best repair option is to replace it with a new tire. In the long term, this means buying a new tire that meets manufacturer specifications for size and load rating. Since all four tires wear out at roughly the same rate, and since they function together to provide even, symmetrical handling, it is best to replace all four tires at once. In the meantime, a flat tire can be replaced by the spare tire. While a full size spare is preferable, space-saving compact spares are common on most new cars. Check the owner's manual to learn about any limitations to observe when using a compact spare, such as a maximum speed, or how long the space can be used before being replaced by a new, full size tire.
What's the Best Quick Fix?
When using a spare tire is not an option, the best repair may be a commercially available aerosol product such as Fix-a-Flat. These products, sold as a can with a hose attachment, use a chemical agent that is sprayed into the tire through the valve stem where it re-inflates and coats the inside of the tire, effectively sealing the hole. Though only useful in cases of small punctures on the tread of the tire, this repair can help get a disabled car off the road until the tire can be serviced by a professional.
Once dry, the excess plug can be cut off and the tire is ready for re-inflation.
How do Professionals Repair Tires?
Most damaged tires eventually end up at a repair shop where a decision can be made as to whether the tire can be safely repaired and used again, or needs to be replaced. When the damage is minimal, a mechanic will deflate the tire, and use tire pliers to remove it from the metal rim.Unlike aerosol products, tire plugs may be able to last the life of the tire when properly applied. The procedure for using a plug kit consists of cleaning the hole, then enlarging it with the provided tool until it matches the diameter of the plug. The plug, which is a synthetic or rubber tube, is inserted into the hole along with the cement.
What Other Do-It-Yourself Options Exist?
Another do-it-yourself option for tire repair are commercially available tire plug kits. These kits contain a rubber plug, adhesive cement, and a tool for enlarging the hole and inserting the plug.This also involves removing the valve stem. The tire can then be repaired from the inside, with a patch applied to the damaged area. Once the patch is dry, the tire can be remounted and inflated. This is the best repair option, and may be well worth the cost in the case of a relatively new, or only slightly damaged, tire.
Will a Repaired Tire Last?
The length of time a repaired tire will last depends on many factors. In general, a tire repaired at home or on the road will never be as strong as it was before the damage occurred. However, many drivers have had success using tire plugs that allow the tire to be driven for thousands of miles without additional problems. Patches applied by a professional are likely to be guaranteed for a length of time and are even more likely to last. Aerosol products are only intended as a short-term fix and should not be driven for very long. Ultimately, a tire's life will depend on its age when the damage occurred, the severity of the damage and how heavily it is used after being repaired.
