If you want to have one or more of your tires repaired, you first have to know whether the damage done can be repaired or whether a full tire replacement is necessary. Luckily for you, here is a brief guide for knowing what you must do or look out for before getting any tire repaired professionally.
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Get an expert’s assessment first.
It is of prime importance that you get a mechanical expert, or an automobile engineer, to examine a damaged vehicle, damaged tires, and the related records and documents. Ask the expert to give you their opinion on the vehicle in writing because having an expert’s written opinion is essential for prosecuting your case before any consumer court should it come to that. Also, if you have written letters to the dealer or manufacturer regarding vehicular or tire-related replacement and they replied, keep all proof of correspondence. They are also of legal importance.
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Have your records at the ready.
One must have all the records or “job cards” created at the service center that shows any persistent complaints about any vehicular or tire-related concerns and the repairs done by the dealer. Having your vehicle or tire records and documents ready is important if you want to show that the vehicle or tire had inherent defects from the beginning and problems continued to persist despite rectifications.
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Some forms of tire damage just can’t be repaired.
When is a tire irreparable? Unfortunately, even though tire experts can repair some of the most severe forms of tire damage, not all are fixable. Therefore, it is recommended that an expert vulcanizer inspect the tire for a more accurate analysis. Still, as part of a general rule, a tire can’t be repaired if:
- Any cut or gash goes through its cords within 2 inches of the tire bead or if the cut is over 7 inches long.
- Tire sidewall or shoulder punctures happen because these parts flex the most when in contact with the road. These parts’ elasticity will eventually cause the tire repair to backfire, causing a dangerous tire blowout. A full tire replacement is the only safe remedy in this case.
- Tire treads are less than 1/16 inch or if they are badly damaged. Regardless of size (e.g., 185R14C), such tires should never be on the road as they aren’t safe for use. One should have them replaced instead of having them repaired.
- In some cases, tires are damaged when driven on flat, low, or in a collision. Moreover, one cannot repair the damage caused in these scenarios.
When you’ve been driving on tires for a long time, the tread will wear away. However, it would be prudent not to let the tread depth go below the recommended minimum level. Otherwise, you may notice that your car does not stop properly when you apply the brakes, especially when on wet road terrain. In addition, if you’re not sure how any tire damage occurred, it’s safer to have the tire replaced rather than risk any accidents.
Author’s Bio:
Frank is an energetic salesman. On his free days, he spends his time writing and reading about quality tires and vehicular parts. He says it’s because of his love for cars ever since he was a kid when his dad started teaching him about automotive parts.
