How Long Does A Patched Tire Last? Ultimate Guide

What can you do with the flat tire? Some drivers recommend a patch as a durable and cheap solution, but how long does a patched tire last?

On average, you can use it for about seven to ten years. Its lifespan varies depending on what method you choose to patch it.

How many types of tire patches are there? What works best?

For detailed answers, let's follow our post!

How Long Does A Patched Tire Last?

If done properly by an expert, the repair can last seven to ten years. A patch itself won't perform as well as a spare tire, but it is more durable.

To keep it running for a long time, you must stick to a set of tight restrictions, such as avoiding accidents in dangerous areas, driving slowly, and not patching twice.

Carelessness can lead to more serious speed troubles than an explosion, which can be deadly in commuting in the long term.

The recommendation is to go to a reliable maintenance business and have the experts determine the best auto repair solution for you.

The lifespan of a patch tires is contingent on the type of patching you choose. The most prevalent sorts of patches are as follows:

1. Patches

This option works for the leaks and small gashes in the tread surface. It covers the hole by sealing the surface. 

When fixed by an expert, a patch can last around 7 to 10 years. Technicians have the skills and tools to perform the job quickly, making professional maintenance safer.

2. Tire plug

The plug, which can work for 25,000 kilometers of driving, helps prevent air from leaking to the outside.

Normally, the tire plug method is applied to holes that are less than 6 millimeters in diameter or located in the surface of the tire.

You can refer to the specific method of plugging tires as follows:

• Proceed to remove the nail or foreign object causing the tire puncture.
• Use a screwdriver to drill into the puncture site.
• Use the rubber screw to install the young rubber and seal the hole.
• Use scissors to cut off excess rubber.

3. Patch-plug

Combining patching and plugging tires improves the repair's success rate. The procedure has several steps, including:

You can proceed with tire patching using this method as follows:

• Remove the tire from the rim.
• Remove puncture-causing objects to the outside and mark the puncture site.
• Drill a hole as small as the body of the patch so that the hole is recessed about 1 millimeter.
• Clean around the hole and then apply a layer of specialized glue to the cleaned area.
• Insert the patch into the hole from the inside out.
• Use pliers to pull out the patch on the outside of the tire so that the puncture is covered. You can press and roll the base evenly to increase adhesion between the patch and the tire surface.
• Continue to apply a layer of sealant around the base to increase the stickiness of the patch.
• Use scissors to flatten the excess outside the tire surface.

This video shows you a complete process of a patch/plug repair:

Experts advise patching and plugging the rubber to maintain the airtightness of the wheel, which is the most durable reinforcement technique.

Are Patched Tires Safe to Drive On? 

They should be. On the other hand, a patch-plug combo repair will be even safer for driving for longer periods.

You should be aware that performing the repair work yourself may be an unsafe solution. Instead, maybe have a professional do it for you.

1. Are patched tires good as new?

The answer depends on the age of the tire when you fix it. Experts suggest replacing the tires after six to ten years. Hence, patches can only make the tires as new as before the treatment. 

2. Can patched tires work?

Yes. It will be safer while driving on a spare tire, yet it will not be completely similar to a new unit.

This repair has completely eliminated the possibility of gas penetrating the interior for at least five years, recovering the wheel's functionality. So feel free to drive with the wheels in this manner.

Suggestions Regarding Patching Tires

Consider these useful suggestions before deciding whether or not to patch the tires. You can avoid mistakes and stay safe on the road.

• Automotive experts recommend not retreating one tire more than three times, with one patch on any one-third of the rubber diameter.
• Never fix a spot that you have patched before. Overlapping patches are really dangerous. In such instances, a tire replacement is necessary.
• Do not patch shoulders and sidewalls. The repair is not durable and strong enough to support the surface during high speeds. Estimate the size of the puncture or cut that damaged the tires. Patching is the optimal solution for punctures that are 1/4 inch or smaller.
• Follow the instructions of the kit if you want to repair the hole yourself.
• It would be best to have a professional technician check the tires. Poor repair work might lead to a severe accident soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following answers and questions give you more information about repairing flat tires. Let's check them one by one!

1. Is a patch permanent?

Although a repair might survive for years, it is not a long-term solution for a punctured tire. A plug/patch repair works better.

2. How fast does the patch dry?

Patches can dry in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, a good repair should take approximately thirty minutes since the mechanic has to remove the tire from the vehicle to examine for any further damage.

If the whole process takes less time, it's not right. Ensure the technician repairing scans for damage on both the interior and exterior of the tread.

Otherwise, you could have to pay for another service.

3. Can I patch a tire twice?

Yes, as long as the spacing between the holes is not bigger than 16 inches. However, don't patch it more than twice if you want to be safer.

Please check at frequent intervals to see whether the old one has become damaged or inflated.

4. Is it better to plug or patch a tire?

For larger holes, but not reaching the sidewalls, and ones that aren't perfectly straight, patches are preferable over plugs.

If you need to fix the sidewall, patching will likely not suffice, and you'll need to change the tire.