
A 2cm cut in the tire cannot be repaired and requires tire replacement. The rubber on the sidewall of the tire is very thin and prone to blowouts at the damaged area, making it unrepairable. Repairing would involve grinding away part of the rubber, making it even thinner. Most repair shops do not repair tire sidewalls and recommend replacement instead, as safety comes first. The following tire conditions indicate that the tire should not be used further: If the tire is worn out: Tires have tread wear indicators, which are slightly raised marks located at the bottom of the tread grooves with a height of 1.6 mm (the legal minimum groove depth). If the tread rubber blocks wear down to the same height as these raised indicators, the tire should be replaced immediately, as continued driving is no longer safe.

A few days ago, I found a big cut on my car tire, about 2 cm long, so I immediately went to the repair shop to ask the mechanic. The mechanic said such a long cut definitely couldn’t be patched—the tire damage was too severe, and even if it were patched, it wouldn’t be safe. At first, I hesitated because I didn’t want to spend money on a new tire, but the mechanic explained that damage to the sidewall is the most dangerous, as it can easily lead to a blowout at high speeds. In the end, I gritted my teeth and replaced the tire. The mechanic also showed me the internal structure of the tire and said that cuts longer than 1 cm generally require replacement. For safety’s sake, it’s better not to skimp on this expense, and we should also be careful to avoid road debris while driving.

I've been repairing cars for over ten years and often encounter cases where tires are slashed. A 2-centimeter cut is indeed quite large and basically impossible to patch. The tire tread has steel belts and fabric layers, and damage of this size has already compromised the internal structure—patch plugs simply can't hold. Even if you use a mushroom plug, at high speeds the temperature inside the tire rises, pressure fluctuates, and the wound is prone to reopening. I recommend replacing the tire outright—safety first. Also, don't try to save money by buying used tires; uneven wear can easily cause problems. Try to avoid potholes, big or small, to minimize tire damage.

Last time my tire got punctured by a nail, the mechanic said holes larger than 1 cm aren't recommended for repair. A 2 cm puncture is too big - the patched area wouldn't have sufficient strength. Especially on the sidewall where stress concentration can cause bulges. For safety, it's better to replace the tire. Nowadays tires aren't expensive, you can get a decent one for 300-400 yuan. During routine checks, address scratches or cracks promptly - small holes can be repaired but larger ones require replacement. Drive slowly through construction zones as the tire sidewalls are most vulnerable.


