One of the problems you can encounter when traveling by car is a punctured tire. Using a patch is a fairly common option to work around this issue. Yet, if the hole is in a position like a tire wall, the problem becomes much more complicated because it is likely that the defensive position will not be patched.
So, how close to sidewall can a tire be patched? A distance of 6 mm or more from the tire shoulder is required to fit a patch. In other words, if a crack is closer than 6mm, there’s almost nothing you can do about it!
First, let’s learn about sidewalls and how to identify them on your tires. The wall is the rubber part from the outer edge of the rim to the road surface. This part also has the largest area, is the most flexible, and continuously deforms under loads when moving.
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How Close To Sidewall Can A Tire Be Patched?
The sidewall has never been an ideal part for applying hole patching. If the gap is 1″ pouring up, you can consider some measures to overcome or hold out temporarily until support is available. Within 1″ of refills, any remedial efforts will be pointless, and you’ll need to buy a new tire to replace it.
In the below section, we have compiled the most specific information about the three types of surface damage you will encounter. Scroll down for more information!
1. Understanding Sidewall Patches:-
If you look at the surface of this product, you will realize it consists of shoulders, crowns, and sidewalls. Inside it, sidewalls are located on either side of the tire to maintain the product shape. Shoulders firmly cover the crown. The hardest parts are the crowns, whose main role is contact and traction.
We want to remind you about these sidewalls more than other parts. They have a fairly smooth surface, consisting of many layers (depending on different models and manufacturers). Structurally, most manufacturers use polyester as the main ingredient. Some places even reinforced the product with another layer of nylon. That’s why they give the entire tire an incredible amount of stability.
Still, it is the above structural features that make the punctures on the sidewall become fatal to the entire product. Once this part is damaged, it is impossible to repair it. In this case, your only choice is to remove the old one and replace it with the new one.
2. Deadly Wounds:-
Regardless of the product’s model, the closer the puncture is to the sidewall, the slimmer your hope of repair. The sidewalls’ steel rings are difficult to repair, making the damage more fatal. However, how close to sidewall can a tire be patched? Once it’s 1″ or more away from the sidewall, you can safely find a remedy.
If you try patching a tire near the sidewall, you won’t be able to seal the holes completely. The humid outside air entering will destroy the tire quality from the inside. Once this goes on for a long time, tread separation is likely to happen unexpectedly to your vehicle.
Indeed, you may still be reluctant to take urgent measures. But this can only help your vehicle operate, and there is no guarantee of the distance behind. The performance of the car also decreased significantly. You will find out the decline in smoothness besides the decrease in speed.
3. Possible Solutions:-
Sometimes, it is impossible to be able to find out relevant replacement parts on your journey. These extreme circumstances will force you to use a patch (or plug on the sidewall) or continue with a flat tire. If you were in that situation, what would your options be? Our advice is to use temporary remedies until you reach the nearest auto repair station for those who are still wondering.
Driving for too long with a damaged tire will decrease the driving experience. Besides the decreased speed, the feeling of vibration is also another trouble it cause you. This also causes minor damage to the overall performance of your tires. Though some tires with minor damage are still repairable and working properly, you might need to throw them away if you insist on moving on a flat tire.
We suggest you cover them with a plug or a patch when the puncture is found at a safe distance from the sidewall. Considering tires with better bearing capacity will also reduce mid-road failures of this product. If the hole is in the sidewall, all efforts to fix it are futile. It would be best to try to move to the nearest repair station and replace it with a brand new tire.
How To Fix The Sidewall Damage?
We’ve discussed till now how close to sidewall can a tire be patched? Now, let’s see how to fix the sidewall damage. Here are some following steps through which you can solve this issue easily.
Step 1:-
You need to start by removing the tire from the wheel. Then, you need to use specialized tools to disassemble the fixing nuts.
Step 2:-
After successful disassembly, check for holes and remove every stuck object (such as screws, dead branches, or nails). Completely remove the air in the tire and give a little cement to the plug.
Step 3:-
Next, you need to clean the puncture and refill its air. After applying a sufficient amount of sealant to the plug’s center, plug it in to complete the patching process.
Step 4:-
Cut the excess ends of the plug on the outside, then reinstall the wheel and inflate the product. The last step you need to complete is fixing the nuts and shooting the tire to the wheel tightly.
FAQs:-
1. How Long Can You Drive on a Patched Tire?
A patch, if done properly, can last from 8 to 1 year. But the quality and durability will go down if you do this measure many times. This measure will not guarantee you the same performance, speed, and smoothness. You would still face the risk of blowouts and damage along the way. Therefore, you should consider getting a new tire for the safest travel experience.
2. Can You Patch A Tire On The Side Of The Road?
If you are facing this problem, it would be best to combine patching with another reinforcement measure. Patches can be helpful with punctures that are easy to fix but are not so effective on the tire side. Therefore, the best way is to insert an extra tube inside the wheel to maintain the product shape in the best way.
3. How Fast Can You Drive On A Patched Tire?
If you patch your product properly, it can still give you the ideal speed experience. Specifically, you can hit 80 mph with a patched product.
Conclusion:-
We surely do not expect to encounter vehicle problems during their journey. Once that happens, understanding and mastery of the new approach is the key to solving your problem quickly and efficiently. The above-mentioned information about how close to sidewall can a tire be patched? will be helpful to all the readers. If anybody’s doubts persist feel free to comment in the comment section below. We’ll definitely try to solve your doubts as soon as possible.