In one episonde of Big Bang, Sheldon’s brother says to never patch but actually always buy new. Why? Wats wrong with driving a patched tyre? Does it depend on where the patch is?
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Depends on your risk appetite – do you like a seriously increased chance of a blowout at high speed? If so, patch away!
If the puncture is in the sidewall or outer portions of the tread, then you’ll need a new tire
If it’s not, then you could temporarily patch it, but it’s still better to have a new tire
Unless the tire is already pretty old, then absolutely patch it if it’s in the tread and not the side, it would be a waste to replace. Any honest mechanic would tell you the same. Had this happen recently and called the best mechanic in town and the best locally owned tire shop in town and they both said to of course patch it, replacement absolutely not necessary. Have driven on the patch thousands of miles, including to other states, and it’s doing great.
In the context of the show Sheldon’s brother is a tyre salesman. He’d rather you buy a new tire from him than you patch your tire and continue using it.
It might be perfectly fine to patch your tire and continue using it until a greater failure. A tire salesman will always want you to just buy new tires because that makes them more money.
Once a tire has been penetrated, there’s a permanent weak point in the tire. From that point on, that tire is now far more likely to have a blowout. If you’re ok with that risk, then fine. If not, you might wanna change tires.
I understood a plug (done from the outside) is a temporary fix while a patch (done from the inside) is a permanent repair.
For both there are some restrictions to do it safely:
* Can only be done on some parts of the tire.
* There is a minimum distance between 2 plugs/patches
* The wire inside tire can’t be damaged
* Tire can’t be too old
*”Always buy new”* from a tire salesman. It means he wants to make more money off the customer.
In reality, “plug+patch” can be a very reliable way to extend the life of a punctured tire. Can’t be done on the sidewall. But if it’s in the tread somewhere, it can usually be done and for very cheap. Most don’t recommend more than a couple of plug/patch repairs per tire though.
LPT for y’all – don’t every JUST plug an automotive tire. Tire should be removed. Patched AND plugged.
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