Can a punctured tyre be repaired?
Thursday 1st September 2022
An unexpected tyre puncture can be a real pain and potentially dangerous. The question most commonly asked is whether a punctured tyre can be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced. In short, the answer is yes – however, this depends on certain factors such as the location of the puncture and the size of the puncture.
What is a slow puncture?
Unlike a rapid puncture where a flat tyre is immediately obvious, slow punctures occur over time without the driver’s knowledge and can take days or weeks to become apparent. It can be difficult to know whether you have a punctured tyre, particularly when your tyre is not yet flat.
What causes a slow puncture?
Slow punctures can happen as a result of driving over sharp objects or debris on the road. They may also be caused by hitting kerbs or driving over potholes which can cause damage to the sidewall of the tyre or the rim of the wheel.
How can I tell if I have a slow puncture?
There are several signs you can look out for to gauge whether you have a slow puncture:
- Difficulty with your steering
- A ticking noise as the tyre rotates and makes contact with the road
- Pulling to the left or right depending on which side the punctured tyre is on
- Continuously having to top up your tyre pressure
Can my slow puncture be repaired?
Slow punctures are very common and may be repaired by a professional as soon as you spot the damage. However, this depends on 3 factors;
Location – all slow puncture repairs must follow the British Standard (BSAU159) policy, whereby a punctured tyre can only be repaired if it occurs within the central ¾ of the tyre known as the minor repair area. If the puncture is anywhere outside this, it is considered too close to the sidewall and cannot be repaired.
Size - the British Standard (BSAU159) allows safe repairs to occur only if the diameter of the damaged area is under 6mm. If your slow puncture was caused by a nail or screw then you have a better chance of your punctured tyre being repaired than if it occurred due to a larger object such as metal debris. Damages such as cuts or splits cannot be repaired because they are too big.
Condition – The general condition of the tyre also determines whether the punctured tyre can be repaired. This is where the tyre tread limit is factored in. If the tyre tread is less than 1.6mm around the entire tyre, or the sidewall appears to be bulging, then a repair may not be attempted as the tyre is no longer fit for purpose.
Can run-flat tyres be repaired?
Run-flat tyres are constructed to allow you to continue driving at reduced speed, for a limited number of miles, so that you have enough time to reach a safe place to change the tyre. When a run-flat tyre is punctured, you can continue driving on it for a specific period of time due to reinforced sidewalls. However, these sidewalls make it impossible to tell if the structure of the tyre wall has been compromised and therefore cannot be repaired.
Don’t let your tyres get in the way of a smooth journey – visit your nearest Formula One Autocentre for a tyre repair service. If your run-flat tyres have been punctured, it is important you get them replaced. Browse our range of tyres online or contact our helpful team today to find out more.
