Thursday, February 23, 2012


Proper Tire Repair
Recently, several high-profile lawsuits have brought the topic of tire repair to the public’s attention. In the past, the seemingly mundane task of tire repair was typically handed off to the C-level tech. Today, with the added risk of liability, proper tire repair requires proper tooling and training. Here are just a few tips for a successful tire repair.

  • Always dismount the tire prior to attempting a repair – driving even a short distance on an under inflated tire can cause significant damage that may not be visible externally.
  • Never attempt to repair a puncture outside the designated repair area – if there is any question of damage to the shoulder or sidewall, the tire must be discarded.
  • A plug or a patch alone does not constitute a proper repair – The puncture must be completely filled with a suitable rubber stem and a patch must be applied to the inner liner to prevent air loss. 
  • There is no such thing as a “temporary” repair – there is a legal liability to perform the repair correctly.
  •  For speed rated tires, the tire manufacturer must be contacted for its individual repair policy – some manufacturers will void the tire speed rating if the tire has been repaired.

Brought to you by CARQUEST Technical Institute

If you are a professional technician and need more information about proper tire service techniques, inquire at your local CARQUEST Store about CTI course: WTT100 Wheel and Tire Technology.

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