How big a hole in a tire cannot be repaired?
4 Answers
It is recommended that tires cannot be repaired under the following conditions: 1. Sidewall: The sidewall cannot be repaired. 2. Exceeding 6 mm: A puncture hole in the tread with a diameter exceeding 6 mm cannot be repaired. 3. Deformation: If there is damage or deformation to the bead, tread deformation, rubber corroded by chemicals, or damage caused by driving underinflated. 4. Other abnormal conditions that cannot be repaired: For example, if signs of driving underinflated are visible on the tire (such as sidewall scuff marks, air barrier layer bubbling, etc.), it is not worth repairing because the tire structure may have been compromised and is no longer usable.
I often get asked how big a hole in a tire can be repaired. Simply put, the size and location of the hole determine whether it can be fixed. If the hole is in the central tread area of the tire and its diameter does not exceed 6mm, it can generally be repaired. However, if the hole is too large (over 6mm) or located on the sidewall (even a small hole), it absolutely cannot be repaired because the sidewall is too fragile and prone to blowouts. Once, I had a small cut on the sidewall of my tire and thought I could save money by patching it, but it blew out halfway, almost causing an accident. Since then, I’ve remembered this lesson. Professional advice is that any sidewall damage or tears require a new tire. Safety comes first—don’t take risks to save money. When driving, avoid gravel roads, regularly check tire pressure and damage, and replace tires promptly if large holes are found to minimize risks. Remember, tire repairs are only suitable for small punctures—don’t hesitate to discard a tire with a large hole.
How big a tire hole can't be patched to save money is what I love to ponder. From experience, if the hole is in the center of the tread and no more than 6mm in diameter, it can be cheaply patched; but if the hole is too large (over 6mm) or located on the sidewall, even a small one means you need a new tire—otherwise, patching it might lead to another failure and more expenses. Once, I had a tire with an oversized hole that I insisted on patching, only for it to leak air after two days, wasting the repair cost. It's best to let a mechanic measure it—generally, holes under 6mm in the center can be patched, otherwise, replace the tire. New tires may be expensive, but they're better than dealing with a blowout and repairs. Avoid hard braking and maintain proper tire pressure to extend tire life. Prevention beats repair—regular visual inspections can save you big money.
There are three scenarios where a tire puncture cannot be repaired: 1) The hole is too large (exceeding 6mm in diameter). While punctures in the center of the tread are usually repairable, those on the sidewall, shoulder, or with tear damage—even if small—should not be repaired due to uneven stress distribution and potential pressure loss. Structurally, the sidewall is thin with vulnerable cords, making repairs ineffective. Repair methods like plug patches only work for round holes within size limits. I recommend measuring the hole during inspection, using a coin for comparison: if the hole exceeds a coin's diameter (over 6mm), it shouldn't be repaired for safety. Remember, any sidewall damage warrants a new tire to ensure safe driving—always stay vigilant.
