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5 Things You Might Not Know About Tire Repair

posted on 4/21/2021 11:09:11 AM

Every time you drive your vehicle, you risk a flat tire. Nails, stones, glass and other debris can puncture the tread and cause anything from a slow leak to a nasty gouge. Even corrosion or damage to the rim can lead to leaks. Luckily, tire injuries tend to be few and far between for the average Wisconsin driver. Plus, should you find yourself with a flat, tire repair is often an affordable and convenient option to get you back on the road quickly.

A little more goes into tire repair than just a quick patch, though. There are certain criteria that should be met to ensure a complete repair, and there’s a few instances where tire repair is not possible. Read on (and listen to the lastest All About The Car Podcast episode, "Tire Repair...Explained", at AllAboutTheCarPodcast.com) for little-known facts about tire repair from our team of automotive industry veterans!

1. The average driver will have a flat tire once every 5 years.

It’s true! Statistics show that you’ll likely experience a flat or leaky tire once every 5 years on the road. This is a general average of course, and people who spend a lot of time in their vehicles are more likely to pick up a sharp object than those who drive sparingly. But no matter how you slice it, a flat tire will likely happen to every driver at one time or another, so it’s important to be prepared.

If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a flat, safety is a top priority. Refer to the previous All About The Car Podcast, What to Do in an Emergency Roadside Breakdown, for tips to handle the situation effectively.

2. Tire repair does not compromise the life or quality of the tire.

That’s right! It’s easy to assume that an injured tire, even after repair, might not hold up as well as its non-injured counterparts. However, this is not the case! A properly-repaired tire is in no worse condition than it was before the injury and should last just as long. In fact, a tire can have multiple repairs and still be in great shape!

Not just any old patch or plug will do, though. The key here is the repair must follow the guidelines set by the Tire Industry Association (TIA). Any reputable shop will be familiar with these specifications and can perform proper tire repair service.

So, what is proper tire repair? We’re glad you asked.

3. Proper tire repair has a few key components.

To adhere to TIA standards, the tire must receive an initial inspection to fully understand the nature of the injury. Then, the tire needs to be dismounted from the vehicle so the inside can be inspected, too. After dust and debris has been cleared away and the tread has been buffed to prep for adhesion, both a patch and plug will be used to seal the injury. The patch maintains air retention while the plug keeps water from entering.

4. You don’t need to run over something to get a leaky tire.

Even if you avoid every stray nail and shard of glass on the highway, you may still have a tire that loses air. A common culprit is “bead leaks”, which occur when aluminum rims begin to corrode and the seal is broken between the rim and the tire.

This is actually the #1 reason for tire repair in Wisconsin, and it has nothing to do with the tread!

Bead leaks are most common in areas with drastic temperature change (here’s looking at you, Wisconsin 🙄❄️). But the good news is they are typically easy to repair as long as you avoid driving on an injured tire with low air pressure. If you need a refresher on checking the air pressure in your tires, check out this article from our friends at Bridgestone.

5. We repair tires for FREE at Hartje Tire & Service!

Seriously! Stop in at our Tire & Service Center in LaValle, WI for free repair on any auto or light truck tire...even if you didn’t buy the tire from us!

Our team performs hundreds of tire repairs each year to help those in our communities get back on the road safely. Keep in mind not all tire injuries are repairable, though -- check out this article for more information and visit our blog to learn about free tire repair at Hartje Tire & Service!

P.S. - Don’t forget to listen to the All About The Car Podcast, “Tire Repair...Explained!”, for more great tips and facts from automotive industry veterans. Plus, the team takes a Wisconsin Road Trip to the Raptor Education Group, INC (REGI) in Antigo, WI and talks about the craziest things they’ve found in tires over the years. You won’t want to miss it!

Categories: Tires 101 | View Count: (82) | Return

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5 Things You Might Not Know About Tire Repair

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