Is tyre repair possible after a puncture?

Whether you can get a tyre repair depends on where the tyre is punctured.

In the tread area :
The tyre is repairable in most cases. Unless the puncture is too large, tyre repair is usually possible. However, it is important to remove the tyre to ensure that it is not marbled and/or damaged by driving at low pressure.

In the shoulder area :
A tyre puncture repair in this area is not possible. The tyre must be replaced.

In the sidewall :
Punctures in your sidewall are generally not repairable. There is a high risk that the puncture has damaged and weakened the overall structure.

There is one exception where tyre repair may be possible. If the speed rating on the sidewall of your tyre does not exceed the T rating, and if the hole is 3mm or less in diameter, the sidewall is repairable. Beyond this index, tyre puncture repair is strongly disadvised to avoid any safety risk.

When your tyre gets punctured, there can be a long run-flat phase, where your vehicle takes a while to come to a complete stop. When driving with a flat tyre or with low pressure, your tyre can suffer damage to the overall structure.

Why does this make tyre repair difficult?

When you drive at low pressure or with a flat tyre, the sidewall crushes.

This causes deterioration in the overall structure of the tyre, which can lead to the following problems:

Mottling of the tyre, where the tyre gets crushed due to lack of air and low pressure, causing the tyre to be marked on the inside.
Chattering of the inner rubber, where pieces of rubber heat up and break off.
Dislocation of the tyre, leading to the tyre bursting.

Your tyre’s carcass might also be damaged, which will make tyre repair impossible even if the puncture was in the tread. The carcass is the most important part of a tyre, and is the framework made up of tyre cord where air pressure, weight and shock are absorbed.

There are three ways to repair a tyre:

1. A PRP or “mushroom”. This type of tyre repair is the most qualitative. A technician will dismantle your tyre, check the inside for damage, taps the puncture hole, inserts the PRP from the inside and glues it in place to create a complete seal.

2. With a wick. This seal is inserted into the tyre from the outside. We strongly recommend against this type of tyre puncture repair because it does not involve a check of the inside of the tyre after a low pressure or flat tyre ride. This tyre repair doesn’t assess any damage that may have occurred.

3. With a patch. This process is similar to that used to repair a bicycle inner tube. We also do not recommend this process, because it will seal on the inside instead of between the tread and the inner rubber. There will be a risk of water infiltration and oxidation of the (partly metallic) layers, which can lead to your tyre bursting.

A tyre repair kit generally consists of a puncture repair spray that fills a hole by injecting foam into the tyre, or a drill to fill the hole from the outside. Tyre repair kits reseal, inflate, and allow your tyre to be used to drive to a tyre replacement shop.

While it can be useful to know how to use tyre repair kit, this is just a temporary solution. In the event of a tyre puncture, we advise that you change the wheel and take the punctured tyre to a technician, who will decide if you need a repair or a replacement. If you don’t have a spare tyre, call a breakdown mechanic to help move your vehicle to the nearest garage.

Only use your tyre repair kit as a last resort and to drive to the nearest garage, where you can receive proper repair advice from a technician. A tyre repair kit is not a permanent solution for your tyres.

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Tyres can sometimes be driven at high speeds. That is why it is important that the tyre is repaired properly to ensure your safety.

A tyre repair is only safe if it is carried out properly, which is why it is important to have it done by a professional. If the tyre is found to be repairable after examination, the professional will fit the correct bead to the hole and give you a tyre that performs as well as it did before the puncture.

If the tyre has not been damaged by running flat, its life span will be exactly the same as if the tyre had not been punctured.

Some tyres have been designed for specific needs, which means they have specific features that affect whether they can be repaired. There are three types of these tyres:

1. Acoustic tyres

Acoustic tyres contain a special foam that reduces tyre noise while your drive. This type of tyre can be repaired the same way as a standard tyre.

2. Self-seal tyres

These tyres are self-repairing only in the tread area. In the event of a puncture, a self-obstructing sealant plugs the hole. Self-seal tyres can be repaired in the same way as standard tyres. You can choose to fit your vehicle with these tyres if they are available in the dimensions specified by your vehicle manufacturer.

3. Runflat tyres

Runflat tyres make it possible continue driving to the nearest garage after a puncture, without damaging the inside of the tyre. You can tell if your Michelin tyres are runflat tyres by checking for a ‘ZP’ or ‘EMT’ code on them (which means ZP for Zero Pressure and EMT for Extended Mobility Tyre).

Please note that runflat tyres are mounted on a specific rim adapted to a certain category of vehicle. They cannot be mounted on a normal rim.

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If you’re looking for tyres that increase your vehicle’s performance while keeping you safe on the road until you can arrange a tyre repair, browse Michelin’s collection of tyres below.

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IS TYRE REPAIR POSSIBLE AFTER A PUNCTURE?

How do I know if a tyre repair is possible?

When is a tyre puncture repair not possible in the tread area?

Why does this make tyre repair difficult?

Tyre repair: 3 methods

Can a tyre repair kit effectively repair my tyre?

Find a tyre repair near me in seconds

Tyre repair by a professional

How do I find a tyre repair near me?

Are tyre puncture repairs safe?

Will tyre repair be possible with my tyre type?

1. Acoustic tyres

2. Self-seal tyres

3. Runflat tyres

Find tyres near me

Find the perfect tyre

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