Keeping your tires in good condition is essential to safe driving. In some situations, you might need tire repair, while in others, replacement is required. Here's how to tell which action is the right one for maintaining road worthiness. 

Repair

Tire repair with a plug works for a single puncture, cut, or gash that is less than one quarter-inch long in diameter. A tire with anything bigger, or with multiple punctures requires replacement. Overlapping plugs or patches do not provide enough strength to keep the tire operating safely. 

If you have minor splits, abrasions, or cuts, tire patches work better than plugs. When stuck on the side of the road, an emergency patch kit can get you to an auto repair shop for proper tire repair. If you experience a slow leak, it might be due to a crack in the tire's valve stem. The way to repair it is by replacing the valve stem.

Replace

A tire with a damaged sidewall or a cut steel belt must be replaced, and the same goes for worn tires with less than 2/32-inches of tread depth. Punctured tire shoulders or sidewalls cannot maintain the flexing needed when the tire is rolling, and the result can be a flat or a blowout, so replacement is required. Tire damage due to a collision, or when the tire is driven on low air, can't be repaired. When you don't know what caused the damage, the safe action is tire replacement.
 

Whether you need tire repair or replacement, turn to the professionals at M & R Automotive Service Center. This automotive services team offers comprehensive car care to keep your vehicle in top condition for road safety. Serving drivers throughout Geneseo, NY, and surrounding areas since 1991, their use high-quality products and provide skilled labor to protect your vehicle and give you peace of mind. For more details, visit the website or call (585) 243-1201 to schedule an appointment.