In short
A tire can be repaired only if the type, location and extent of the damage are within the permitted zone and the inner structure has not been damaged by driving without pressure. The sidewall and shoulder are generally not repaired like an ordinary tread puncture, and the final decision is made after the tire is removed and checked from inside.
First keep control and stop safely
If the pressure drops suddenly, slow down without sudden movements and pull over somewhere safe. Switch on your hazard lights and assess whether you can use the spare wheel or need to call for help.
Do not carry on for kilometers on a flat standard tire. The inner sidewall surfaces can overheat and be damaged with no clear sign on the outside.
Why the tire is taken off the rim
From the outside you can see an object or a hole, but not damage to the inner structure, signs of driving without pressure or earlier repairs. Only an inside check allows a decision.
The location of the damage matters: the central tread offers different repair options from the shoulder and sidewall, which flex heavily.
A temporary spray is not a final repair
A mobility kit can help you move the vehicle according to the instructions, but it does not turn every kind of damage into a safely repaired tire. Tell the tire technician that the product was used.
Follow the speed and distance limits stated on the kit and in the vehicle's manual.
When replacement is the better choice
Sidewall damage, a bulge, a deep cut, visible cords, multiple or closely spaced repairs and internal damage from driving without pressure can rule out a safe repair.
The tire technician should explain the reason, not just say it cannot be done. The tire's safety under load takes priority over a short-term saving.
Key points
Three things to remember
- 01
Do not pull the object out of the tire before you reach a safe place.
- 02
A final assessment requires removing the tire and checking inside.
- 03
Driving without pressure can ruin a tire with an otherwise small puncture.
FAQ
Straight answers
Should I pull out the nail?
Not before you have stopped safely and the tire has been checked. The object sometimes temporarily slows the loss of air.
Can a sidewall be patched?
The sidewall works under heavy flexing, and damage to it is generally not treated as a repairable tread puncture. A professional assessment is needed.
Does an external plug solve the problem?
An external fix without removing the tire does not check the inside. A permanent repair must follow the rules for that type of damage.
Sources and further reading
This article is informational. Check regulations, conditions and changing figures before a specific procedure.
