Can a repaired tire still be used on highways?

[MacGrace]

If there is no air leakage after the repair, it can be driven normally on highways, but regular checks should be conducted. Below is relevant information: 1. The general judgment standard is 6 millimeters, which is approximately the width of a little fingernail. When the damage does not exceed this width, some repaired tires can be used on highways. If the damaged area of the tire exceeds 6 millimeters, regardless of the repair method used, it is not recommended to drive on highways. 2. The sidewall of the tire cannot be repaired. A puncture on the tread with a diameter exceeding 6 millimeters cannot be repaired. If there is damage or deformation to the bead, tread deformation, rubber corroded by chemicals, or damage caused by driving under-inflated, the tire cannot be repaired. Other abnormal conditions also cannot be repaired.

[JuneMarie]

Driving on highways with repaired tires does require extra caution. I've seen many car owners hit the highway immediately after getting a tire patch, but the hidden dangers are significant. Especially for tires with sidewall damage, the drastic pressure and temperature changes at high speeds can cause weak spots to rupture at any moment. Even if the patch is in the center of the tread, patches larger than 6mm or tires that have been repaired more than twice are at risk—the centrifugal force on highways continuously stresses these vulnerable areas. I recommend placing repaired tires on the rear wheels; a front tire blowout can lead to dangerous loss of steering control. Additionally, extra caution is needed during hot summer days when asphalt temperatures exceed 60°C, causing tire pressure to spike and increasing the risk of failure. If you must use a repaired tire on the highway, keep your speed below 100 km/h, take breaks every two hours to check tire pressure, and immediately switch to the spare if you notice any bulging. Honestly, buying a new tire only costs a few hundred bucks—way better than gambling with your life.

[KadenDella]

As someone who deals with tires every day, the issue of driving on highways with repaired tires requires careful analysis. The mushroom plug repair method is the most reliable, with internal filling and external sealing, capable of withstanding high-speed pressure. Don't take risks with patch repairs, especially for large holes where patches can easily detach due to heat. After a fresh repair, drive in the city for a couple of days first to confirm there's no slow air leakage before considering highway speeds. Remember, a repaired tire must undergo dynamic balancing; otherwise, the steering wheel will shake like a massage chair at speeds above 120 km/h. If the front tire is repaired, I strongly advise replacing it; for rear tires, short highway trips might still be considered. Also, any tire over three years old with repairs should be retired immediately—aged rubber combined with repairs is too fragile. If you notice the edges of the repair peeling or deforming, it's time for that tire to retire.

[RobertDella]

Last time my buddy drove on a patched tire on the highway, and it blew with a loud 'bang' right after passing the toll booth—almost hitting the guardrail. Now I always tell people around me: patched tires are okay for emergencies but shouldn’t be relied on as the main solution. Driving slowly in the city is fine, but on the highway, tires rotate thousands of times per minute, causing repeated bending at the patch area, which can easily crack. Especially sidewall patches—they endure the most deformation during turns. I now keep an air pump and tire sealant in my car, but for long trips, I’d definitely swap in a new tire. Honestly, the money saved from patching isn’t even enough to cover towing fees. A blowout could lead to repair costs three times higher than a new tire, not to mention the personal danger.

[LaMadelyn]

Judging by the damage to your tire, small nail holes can be patched for short highway trips, but extensive tread punctures are absolutely unacceptable. Just the other day, a CRV came into the shop—the owner had used a plug repair for highway driving, and the patch material melted from the heat, causing a sudden air leak at high speed. It's recommended to prioritize hot vulcanization repairs, with mushroom plugs as the second choice, and to replace any plug repairs as soon as possible. When driving on the highway with a repaired tire, avoid the hottest times of day; early morning or late evening when temperature fluctuations are minimal is safer. Maintain standard tire pressure for the rear tires, but it's best to keep the front tires 0.1 bar above standard for enhanced stability. Never use a repaired tire for aggressive driving—taking corners at speeds over 80 km/h can cause centrifugal force to tear the patch apart.