Tyre Puncture Repair

Tyre Puncture Repair.

Properly maintained tyres are an absolutely essential part of responsible driving. From the grip you need to negotiate bends and corners to the efficiency of your braking, your safety relies on them doing their job properly.

The good news is, tyre problems don't always need a new tyre. The right tyre shop will be able to tell you if a a tyre puncture repair, adjusting your tyre alignment, or even rotating your tyres will get you safely back on the road.

In this quick guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about repairing tyres, including when it's safe to do so, what's involved, and the kind of costs you can expect.

If you need a tyre repair - or even if it turns out that you need a new tyre - Auto Hero will help you find a trustworthy tyre technician and the very best price near you.

Safety warning

Before we start, there are some things you should be aware of before you do anything else.

Do not try to drive on a flat tyre.

Driving on a flat is extremely dangerous and even the best drivers will struggle to control the vehicle. Pull over somewhere safe and fit your spare wheel (or use your puncture repair device) safely out of the way of traffic.

You'll be able to find instructions on how to do this in your owner's manual.

Be aware of any speed limitations if you are fitting a spare tyre. Spares are often 'space saver' wheels - thinner and smaller than your normal wheels. They almost always have a range and speed limit that you should abide.

What do tyre repairs involve?

As you can imagine, every tyre repair is a little different. Sometimes, a puncture repair will get you back behind the wheel - but in other cases, a tyre technician might suggest rotating the tyres or even re-aligning your wheels.

Here's a look at what each of these jobs involves and the kind of problems each repair will typically fix:

Puncture repairs

Repairing a punctured tyre involves removing the damaged tyre, before applying a patch on the inside and filling any hole. This means the tyre can be re-inflated and will hold the correct pressure.

Puncture repairs will only ever be carried out after a thorough inspection to make sure the location of the damage is suitable for this kind of repair.

Wheel alignment

Not all tyre damage is caused by foreign objects piercing the rubber. In some cases, slightly misaligned wheels will cause tyres to wear unevenly, which can lead to reduced grip or poor handling.

Wheel alignment involves careful adjustment of the car's wheels and axles so they're aligned with each other and making full, even contact with the road surface.

Tyre rotation

Most vehicles operate in a way that means some of the tyres are doing more work than others. For instance, the tyres on a front wheel drive car will usually wear significantly quicker than those on the back.

If some of your tyres are wearing quicker than others, it might be a good option to 'rotate' them - i.e. swap the front tyres for the rears. Not only does this put the freshest tyres where they're needed the most - it can also extend the time between buying new vehicle tyres.

Signs that you might need a tyre repair

Tyre problems come in all shapes and sizes - so it's worth understanding what you need to look out for when it comes to tyre maintenance.

These are some typical symptoms to be aware of:

No/low air

Sometimes, you'll be able to tell visually if a tyre is low on air. Don't panic straight away though - sometimes parking on an uneven surface will make your tyre look a little flatter than usual.

If it's safe to do so, move your car to a flat, even surface and take another look. If your tyre still looks soft, a tyre pressure gauge will tell you with certainty if you've lost pressure.

Slight pressure loss is normal with tyres - but if one seems to be a lot softer than the others, it's worth getting a professional opinion.

You shouldn't just rely on the way a tyre looks for a health diagnosis though. Some low profile or run flat tyres can appear fine when they're actually low on pressure or completely flat.

Damaged tyres/wheels

Vehicle tyres take all kinds of knocks and bumps - from kerb damage through to sharp objects picked up from the road.

If you can see damage to either your wheel or your tyres, it's worth talking to local tyre experts so they can assess whether your tyres or wheel alignment needs attention.

If your tyre has anything sticking out of it or is losing pressure, put your spare tyre on before you make a journey.

Tyre pressure warning light

Most modern vehicles now have a pressure warning light that alerts the driver to any problems with the amount of air in the tyres.

If your warning light comes on, you should check your tyre pressures as a priority - as it could be an indication that you have a punctured tyre or some other kind of damage.

Pressure sensors within your wheels are very sensitive though and can sometimes react to changes in external temperature - so it's always best to get a professional opinion before you have any work carried out.

Uneven or low tread

Low tread is a surefire indication that it will be soon time to think about a tyre replacement. However, tyres don't always wear evenly.

If you notice that your tread is lower on a single edge, both edges, or in the middle of the tyre, it's usually an indication that your wheels are misaligned or that the air pressure in your tyres isn't quite right.

As long as you notice before the tread gets too low, a tyre technician might be able to put the problem right, saving you the cost of new tyres.

Cracked or damaged rubber

Over time, the rubber that tyres are made from can degrade and lose the properties that keep it grippy and flexible.

If you notice that your tyre damaged or the rubber is looking cracked anywhere, it's time to talk to a local workshop or mobile puncture repair specialist about what the next step should be.

Lack of grip

 If you suddenly notice that your tyres are losing grip when they usually don't, it might be an indication that your tread level is getting dangerously low.

You're likely to notice a lack of grip when roads are slightly damp or when you're pulling away briskly. A squeak or squealing noise will usually be the first thing you notice.

You may also notice that your anti-lock brake warning light will flash if you brake firmly. Braking requires your tyres to stay gripped to the road - so if they don't, the assisted braking system (ABS) warning light may flicker and you may notice the brakes 'juddering' as they are quickly applied and released to stop you from skidding.

You've used tyre sealants 

A can of tyre sealant can be a great emergency measure to get you home or to a workshop - but if you've used one, you'll need to book your car in with a tyre specialists soon after.

Sealant isn't designed as a permanent way to repair punctures. What's more, it can make a puncture difficult to repair if it's left in the tyre for a long time.

How much does a tyre repair cost?

As you can no probably tell, there are lots of different things that can go wrong with a tyre - so it's difficult to quote an exact price without knowing the specific problem you have.

Whatever happens though, a tyre repair will almost always be more affordable than a replacement tyre. If it isn't, it isn't worth doing.

Can my tyre be repaired?

Again, no two punctures or tyre problems are exactly the same - so you'll have to follow the advice of a specialist to know for certain. However, all the tyre repair shops that we work with at Auto Hero will follow Australian standards. They are:

• A repair can only be carried out on punctures on the central 75% of the tyre's tread
• The puncture can only be repaired if it has a diameter of 6mm or less
• There is no evidence of sidewall deterioration (cuts, splits, blisters, etc)
• There is no other puncture on anywhere else on the tyre
• The patched used to be applied safely and properly
• The tyre is in otherwise good condition

Auto Hero can help

If any of the problems listed here sound familiar, you can use our quote finder to get prices for tyre repairs from specialists near you. Getting a quote will take less than 2 minutes - and you'll be able to choose from workshops in your location, with absolutely no obligation whatsoever.