What can happen to a car tyre? What damage can be repaired? Is it possible to do something on your own or in service? And when do the tyres need to be changed? We answer all of the questions in this article.
A nail, reinforcement or a sharp stone – sometimes you can damage a tyre practically from scratch. First of all, the scale of damage is essential, and often the rubber can still be repaired. Motorists often turn to tyre shops for repairs in the middle of autumn or spring – just in the season of replacing summer tyres with winter ones and vice versa. To not stand in lines, it is worth knowing exactly when to go to the tyre service and when to go to the store.
Puncture
The most common rubber “injury” is a puncture, and it can most often be repaired. Of course, professionals at the nearest service will do it much faster, and your hands will remain clean. But if the puncture occurred in a deserted place, you can patch up the tyre yourself if you have a pump and a set for repairing tyres with harnesses.
Most often, when fixing the front tyres, the wheel does not even need to be removed. It is enough to turn the steering wheel in the right direction and find the puncture site.
First, the hole is cleaned with a screw-shaped awl, the repair harness is coated with glue and tucked into the eye of the drill, after which it is inserted into the tyre hole. The instrument is removed with a sharp movement, and the tourniquet remains inside and reliably clogs the hole. Next, the tails are trimmed with a knife, but it is recommended to leave about 20 mm. The tyre can then be inflated and the pressure checked.
Repair with tourniquets is not considered long-term because they dry out and begin to let air through after some time. A more advanced puncture repair method is vulcanization.
The hole is sealed with an elastic plaster, and the funnel at the puncture site is filled with a special compound. A vulcanizer is put on top, which heats the plaster and solders the excess.
In car service conditions, the puncture is also repaired with cord fungus. First, the puncture site is machined and drilled to roughen. Next, everything is lubricated with glue, after which a fungus is introduced from the inside of the tyre, its cap is rolled in, and the excess legs are cut off from the outside.
Puncture repair can be carried out with the help of a sealant. Instead of a spare wheel, many car manufacturers with tubeless Run Flat tyres put in the car repair kits with compressors – a pressurized sealant bottle.
First, the car is lifted on a jack, after which the sealant is pumped into the damaged wheel through the nipple.
Next, you need to spin the wheel and pump it up. After the repair, you should drive the car a couple of hundred meters to check the tightness of the tyre. If it has not recovered, the procedure is to be repeated.
It happens that a self-tapping screw or a nail closes the hole in the tyre, remaining inside. Do not rush to pull it out – until the pressure drops; you can safely drive to the service for vulcanization. Sometimes the wheel begins to deflate a few weeks after the self-tapping screw has hit it. Therefore, it is better to check the pressure in the tyres periodically, and if the pressure sensor lights up, it is worth at least visually inspect the tyre for the presence of a nail head.
Bloating on the wheel
A bump or hernia most often appears on the side of the tyre after hitting an obstacle or hitting a hole at speed. The impact damages the threads of the sidewall carcass, the tyre ceases to hold the load and pressure, and swelling appears. Any slight bump eventually turns into a larger one, and with such a defect, the wheel can burst at any time. This is a direct safety hazard because a sudden deflation of a wheel could result in loss of control and road accidents.
You can repair some hernias, but no patch will ever restore the original tyre stiffness. The ideal option, in this case, is to replace the tyre. If a hernia appears on the tread, you can extend the tyre’s life with the help of cord patches – ready-to-use patches with an adhesive layer. But if the bulge is found on the sidewall, the likelihood of repair is minimal. It is easier to change the wheel. The bumps on low profile tyres are not repairable at all.
Cut or puncture
Only car service professionals can repair a side cut. To eliminate the damage, you will need cord patches, but the wheel will still have to be changed after some time. Also, this method will work only if the gap is not in the tyre’s shoulder area, then no one will repair it.
In the general case, cuts or punctures, unlike punctures, are considered non-repairable since the integrity of the frame is violated. And breakdowns do occur on the move when the tyre abruptly loses pressure and has time to make only a few revolutions “on the rims” to a complete stop. In this situation, the cord breaks and the layers of the tyre are destroyed. Therefore, even if it is possible to close the hole, using a weakened splint is not recommended.
Improper storage and poor installation
Cracks, sidewall abrasion and unprofessional tyre-fitting can also lead to tyre problems. Improper storage of tyres can lead to cracks. Their danger is that moisture begins to flow to the cord, which makes the frame unusable. Air can also escape through the cracks. You cannot repair cracks, and tyres will not last long with them. A cracked tyre deforms, bulges and may even break while driving.
As a result of friction against curbs or when driving on unequipped road shoulders, the tyre’s sidewall can be damaged. When driving like this, you should regularly inspect the tyres for damage. Also, make sure you have a spare tyre in your trunk. There are no shortages of tyres in UAE. If slight wear is found, the wheels can be swapped, which will slightly extend their service life and delay buying new ones.
