Understand Basic Tire Repair Standards

Getting a tire repaired can be a good, cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new tire. But it’s important to take your tire to a repair person who uses proper repair techniques. Poor repairs increase the risk of tire failure and subsequent crashes.

Basic Criteria for Tire Repairs

Shockingly, nearly 88 percent of all tire repairs are done improperly, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). Below are some basic criteria for tire repairs, provided by the RMA. 

• Tread area: Tires should only be repaired within the tread area, not on the outside edges to avoid tread separation.
• Size: Punctures larger than one-quarter inch should not be repaired but replaced instead.
• Careful inspection: When a tire is repaired, the repair person should remove the tire to fully inspect it and assess the damages. Ask the shop for a full repair and a full inspection of the tire when you bring in your car.
• No overlapping: A tire repair should not be made on top of an older repair.
• Complete repairs: Plugs alone are insufficient for repairing a tire. A proper repair will have a plug for the puncture and a patch to seal the inner lining.
• Manufacturer’s recommendation: Because not all tires can be repaired, you’ll need to check with your manufacturer or car care specialist for recommendations.
• Improper repairs: If the tire already has an existing improper repair, it should be scrapped. Do not attempt to repair a defective tire.

The Importance of Proper Repairs

Why is it so important to ensure your tires are repaired properly? The owner of Executive Wholesale Tire, James Rogers, has the perfect answer, “If a tire is not repaired properly, it could cause leakage of the air, which would be uninflated. When you drive a tire uninflated, it builds up substantial heat which could cause a catastrophic failure in the tire, which could cause rollover of the automobile, and it could injure the occupants in the car or in another car coming in the opposite direction.” In other words, an improper repair could equal blowout, crash, and injury.

Ensuring Your Tires are Safe

“A repaired tire can be returned to service, but it’s up to the consumer to make sure that tire remains safe,” states Dan Zielinski, Senior Vice President of RMA.  You’ll want take the following simple tips into consideration to do your part and minimize your risk of tire failure and tire-related crashes. 

• Properly maintain your tires.
• Only take your car to a reputable repair shop.
• Don’t ride around on under- or over-inflated tires.
• Perform a visual inspection on your tires once a month.
• Check the tread depth every month.
• Have the tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
• Make sure your car is properly aligned especially if you think theroad conditions could contribute to a tire-related accident, such as potholes or excessive speed bumps.

Tire-Related Accident Attorney in Florida

If you’ve been injured in a serious crash because of improperly repaired or defective tires, call our tire-related accident attorneys at Chalik & Chalik Law Offices throughout Florida. Contact us today at 855-529-0269 or 855-529-0269 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.