This is from the U.S. Tire Manufacturer’s Association regarding proper tire repair after being damaged:
Tire Repair Basics
- Tires must be removed from the rim/wheel assembly and inspected for all possible damage—including damage to the inner liner.
- Tire repairs cannot overlap with other repairs.
- A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner.
The above is also what the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Association say. However, here are examples of what we find [click any image to enlarge] …
Or a “repair” like this:
Maybe multiple repairs:
Or “Fix-A-Flat”-type stuff squirted in through the valve:
Maybe this will get you home?
Some think a plug in the sidewall may work for a few miles
The Tire Information Association offers this video:
Here is a video with information approved by the Rubber Manufacturers Association:
Note that if an “Improper Repair” is discovered it will void any tire warranty.
It is best to use a spare to get to a tire shop where a proper repair can be made. Hopefully, you have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that will warn you of an air leak due to a puncture and you can stop and take appropriate action before damaging your tire. Driving on a “flat” tire will probably do damage. A tire is considered to be “flat” if it has lost more than 20% of its pressure.
Roger Marble
Check out my Blog www.RVTireSafety.Net
Read more from Roger Marble on RVtravel.com.
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If you are using the donut spare for your towd, read the instructions. 50 mph and 50 miles of distance. Don’t use 2 or more, I’ve seen 3 on a piece of junk that was not roadworthy.
Thank you for sharing these outrageous pictures, Roger. Thank you perhaps even more for sharing the definition of a “flat” tire. Safe travels!
Those pictures remind me of the phrase: “Hold my beer and watch this!!!”
Seeing these well over used tire pictures of how not to repair a tire still makes me grin. Tire issues are one of the numerous ways to start an argument.
It depends – Permanent ‘Repair’… Temporary ‘Repair’… Emergency ‘Repair’…💥