Can a Patched Car Tire Be Used on the Highway?
2 Answers
Car tires that have been patched and show no air leakage can be used on the highway, but attention should be paid to speed and driving distance. Here is some relevant information about tires: 1. Functions of tires: Support the entire weight of the vehicle, bear the load of the car, and transmit forces and moments in other directions; transmit traction and braking torque to ensure good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface, improving the car's power, braking, and passability; work together with the car suspension to mitigate the impact during driving and dampen the resulting vibrations; prevent severe vibrations and premature damage to car components, adapt to the vehicle's high-speed performance, reduce driving noise, and ensure driving safety, handling stability, comfort, and energy efficiency. 2. Tire lifespan: The lifespan of a tire is related to many factors, such as climate, road conditions, driving style, installation, maintenance, etc. According to international regulations, if a tire is used normally, it must be replaced when the tread depth wears down to 1.6 millimeters.
I've been repairing cars for several years, and I'm often asked whether a patched tire can be used on highways. First, the conclusion: in principle, it's not recommended—the risk is too high. The location of the patch is crucial. A patch on the sidewall is absolutely unacceptable, as the pressure increases sharply during high-speed turns, making a blowout likely. A small puncture on the tread, professionally repaired with a mushroom plug, might just barely pass, but don’t gamble with your life. I’ve seen many cases where a patched tire failed at high speeds, causing the tire to deform, leak air, and lead to loss of control and accidents. I recommend that car owners only use patched tires for short, slow drives or replace them as soon as possible. At highway speeds, tire temperature and pressure rise, wear accelerates, and patches are more prone to loosening and failing. Regularly checking tread depth and tire pressure is essential—safe driving is a hundred times more important than saving money.
