Should You Repair or Replace a Blown Tire?
2 Answers
Generally, a blown car tire cannot be repaired. Only tires that have been punctured and are leaking air can be patched and reused. A blown tire causes significant damage, and if the damage is severe, even after repair, there may still be safety hazards. Therefore, it is not recommended to continue using such a tire; instead, it should be replaced with a new one. More details are as follows: 1. After a car tire blows out, it cannot be repaired and reused because the blowout has already damaged the tire's structure. For tires that have blown out, it is advisable to directly replace them with new ones. 2. For tires that have been repaired multiple times, it is recommended to move them to the rear wheels for use. This is because such tires, if placed on the front wheels, can still affect driving performance, especially at high speeds. Placing them on the rear wheels is safer.
I've been driving for decades and have experienced quite a few tire blowouts. Every time this happens, my top priority is safety. A blown tire isn't something that can simply be patched up. If the blowout occurs on the tire's sidewall or shoulder, it means the tire structure may be compromised. Forcing a repair in such cases can lead to another blowout at high speeds, which is extremely dangerous. Even for small punctures in the center tread, you need to consider the size of the hole - any puncture larger than 6mm shouldn't be repaired. Additionally, if the tire is over five years old or severely worn, even if it can be patched, it's not safe because the aged rubber lacks sufficient strength. My advice is to immediately pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and assess the damage. If possible, change to the spare tire and drive to a professional tire shop for inspection before making a decision. While new tires may cost more, safety is priceless - don't gamble with your life to save a few bucks.