Sidewall Repair

…concerned, punctures in the tread area of the tire are often repairable. Punctures in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire are not. While it may be physically possible to plug the hole, the flexing of the sidewall is likely to work the repair loose. Driving on the flat tire is the biggest item under…

…and sidewall area are not recommended. Evaluating the damage the object caused to the tire, reestablishing an airtight seal of the tire's inner liner and completely filling the path the object took through the tire are the three main considerations when conducting a repair. Of the many repair…

…Industry guidelines allow repair of punctures of up to 1/4" in diameter in a tire's tread area. Some manufacturers limit the number of repairs permitted (usually two) and how close they can be (no closer than 16" apart). Repair of any punctures in the shoulder and sidewall areas are not permitted.…

…to any tire repair facility in the United States for service. You will need to pay for the repair or replacement and submit the invoice for reimbursement. The program runs for 24 months or until the tire reaches 2/32" of tread depth, whichever comes first. In the case of a repairable tire, you…

…area (up to 1/4"in size) can be repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. These tires can be returned to service if they have not been driven on while flat or with very low inflation pressure. * Tires cut or punctured in the shoulder or sidewall areas, as well as any tires…

…punctured and repaired tire no longer retains its speed rating and should be treated as a non-speed rated tire. "Guidelines allow the repair of punctures in a tire's tread area of up to 1/4" in diameter. Repair of larger tread punctures and of punctures to the tire's shoulder and sidewall areas are…

…shorter sidewalls (low profile) are more easily damaged. Can they be repaired? No, unfortunately sidewall bubbles cannot be repaired. Because the area flexes while driving a patch will not stay in place. The bubble also indicates there is structural damage to the tire that cannot be repaired. A tire…

…to any tire repair facility in the United States for service. You will need to pay for the repair or replacement and submit the invoice for reimbursement. The program runs for 36 months or until the tire reaches 2/32" of tread depth, whichever comes first. In the case of a repairable tire, you…

…Flow Chart (PDF) If you need to download a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader it's available free from Adobe for a variety of computer platforms. Related Links * Diagnosing Tire Pull * Driving Through Tire Blowouts * Flat Tire Repairs * Rubber Cracking * Sidewall Indentations, Undulations & Protrusions

…to consider repair, even a trained tire specialist may be unable to confirm internal structure damage resulting from a run-flat tire having been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. Such damage may not be visible on the surfaces of the tire's exterior sidewalls or interior…

…mark the bubble, dismount the tire and check for cuts or abrasions in the inner liner of the tire. It's important to note that sidewall bubbles can't be repaired. The area that's damaged is constantly flexing and moving so a tire patch cannot hold. Additionally, a bubble often indicates…

…tire blowouts to maintain vehicle control and worry about determining the cause of the problem later. Remember: These are techniques, not guarantees. Please drive safely. Related Links * Diagnosing Tire Pull * Flat Tire Repairs * Rubber Cracking * Sidewall Indentations, Undulations & Protrusions

…to any tire repair facility in the United States for service. You will need to pay for the repair or replacement and submit the invoice for reimbursement. The program runs for 24 months or until the tire reaches 2/32" of tread depth, whichever comes first. In the case of a repairable tire, you…

…warranty only during the first 25% of tread wear. The defect is caused by the belts being incorrectly aligned during manufacture. Related Links * Driving Through Tire Blowouts * Flat Tire Repairs * Rubber Cracking * Sidewall Indentations, Undulations & Protrusions * Vibration Diagnosis Flow Chart