How to Repair a Flat Tire
3 Answers
Methods for repairing a flat tire are as follows: 1. Cold Patching: Remove the damaged tire from the rim, locate the puncture, clean any foreign objects from the puncture site, and then apply a specialized patch to the inner layer of the tire to complete the repair. The advantage is that it can repair larger punctures, but the downside is that it is not very durable. After prolonged exposure to water or high-speed driving, the repaired area may leak again. 2. Hot Patching: This is the most thorough tire repair method. Remove the tire from the rim, attach a specialized raw rubber patch to the puncture, and use a heating machine to bake the area until the patch fully bonds with the tire. The benefit of hot patching is its durability, with little worry about recurring leaks. However, the downside is that it requires higher technical skill during application, as improper temperature control during heating can scorch the tire or even cause deformation in severe cases.
Last time while driving, I suddenly felt the steering wheel was loose. After getting out, I found a nail stuck in the tire. At the repair shop, the mechanic taught me several common tire repair methods. The most commonly used is the internal patch method: first remove the tire, sand the leaking area on the inside, apply special glue, then stick on a vulcanized rubber patch, and finally press it firmly with a roller. This method is suitable for nail holes under 5mm and maintains the tire's balance. For larger nail holes, the mushroom plug method is used, where the rubber plug head completely seals the hole and is waterproof. If there's sidewall damage, the tire must be replaced. Remember to perform wheel balancing after repairing the tire, otherwise the steering wheel may shake at high speeds. For temporary emergencies, a rubber strip can be used, but it tends to leak air and needs re-treatment after driving a few dozen kilometers.
I remember when I first started driving and got a flat tire, I was so panicked. Now, I've even learned how to assess tire repair methods. The key to tire repair lies in the location and size of the puncture: for small holes on the tread, cold patch repair is the most economical—first mark the leak, remove the tire, sand the inner wall, then press the rubber patch firmly; for holes larger than 6mm, a mushroom plug is needed, which acts like a stopper inserted from the inside and trimmed off the excess. Note that sidewall damage can't be repaired, and repaired tires are best used on the rear wheels. A mechanic also taught me a little trick: after repairing, apply soapy water when reinstalling the tire to check for leaks—where the bubbles are smallest, press down again to ensure a tight seal. It's also recommended to rotate the tires after each repair to extend their lifespan.
