Can you repair/patch a high performance tire?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Rob B, Apr 19, 2005.

  1. Rob B

    Rob B Guest

    I have v-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on my Prelude. One of them has a
    slow to medium leak. My common-sense says that a patched tire will
    not have the same characteristics as an un-patched one. (ie it won't
    be as safe to drive around like a high-speed maniac).

    New tire x 2 = expensive
    1 patched tire = cheap

    Opinions? Thanks,
    Rob
     
    Rob B, Apr 19, 2005
    #1
  2. Rob B

    halo2 guy Guest

    Well you are correct... a repaired tire is not as structurally sound as a
    new tire but this only comes into play if you are seriously driving fast.
    If you are the ricky racer type that thinks he has a fast car and drives
    around fast then this isn't going to affect you. If you are driving 100mph
    consistently then you might consider a new tire purchase.

    If I am not mistaken, if you have a repaired tire on the German Autobahn,
    then you are legally no longer allowed to drive at high speed or the speed
    rating of the tire. In other words the speed rating of the tire is null and
    void but I am not sure what the speed limit would be with a repaired tire.
    This demonstrates that authorities have looked at the viability of repaired
    tires and deemed them not as good as new.
     
    halo2 guy, Apr 19, 2005
    #2
  3. Rob B

    motsco_ _ Guest

    ---------------------

    A slow leak like you describe may have nothing to do with the tire. Get
    it dunked, since it's probably just the valve stem, or (sometimes) the
    rim itself, rather than a hole thru the tire, unless you pulled a nail
    out . . . .

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Apr 19, 2005
    #3
  4. It depends on where the leak is and how big a hole there is. If it's near
    the wall it's probably a bad idea to repair; if it's in the main tread area
    and therefore through the radial belts it *could* be OK to repair. A slow
    leak *could* be caused by a big screw or nail still stuck in the tire,
    through the belts, so you need to figure if the penetration could have
    damaged the belts. A good tire shop should be able to give an opinion.
     
    George Macdonald, Apr 20, 2005
    #4
  5. Rob B

    jim beam Guest

    depends on the damage. if the casing cords are cut in any way, ie. a
    larger puncture, you /can/ repair, but i'd be beware of the super high
    speed stuff. side walls shouldn't be repaired at all. a small
    penetration that hasn't damaged the cords will be fine. find a good
    tire shop - they'll want to earn your future business by giving you the
    straight scoop.
     
    jim beam, Apr 20, 2005
    #5
  6. Rob B

    Pars Guest

    My low profile Toyo Proxie FZ4 have couple of plugs (no patchs). My tire
    puntures were do to screws, which did not damage the side wall (luckly, my
    local tire shop only charge $10 to plug the hole).

    My car can only reach a mundane 120mpg and has done long distance cruises at
    100mpg without any side effects from the plugs. I'd be leery about the
    plugs/patch if the car is cable of much higher speeds.

    Pars
    98 Civic Hatch
     
    Pars, Apr 20, 2005
    #6
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