Can punctures to run flat tires be repaired?
Assuming that no damage has occurred to the sidewall in getting to a repair shop, the same criteria apply to repairing a run flat tire as apply to a conventional tire. Any puncture or injury to a tire’s tread area obviously affects performance and safety. Proper repair is critical. The puncture must be repaired on both the inside and the outside of the tire. Since all parts of a tire are engineered to function as a single unit, any repair must take that into consideration. Only small straight through 3/16″ diameter or less punctures in the tread area may be repairable, if no secondary damage has occurred. Note: If the puncture is close to the crown edge, say within 1/2″, you may want to purchase a replacement tire. The reason is high speed (H or above) rated tires use what is known as a “crown edge breaker, or wedge”, or “nylon breaker strip” to further strengthen the belt package and cap overlays during hard cornering forces. A puncture can rupture or damage this construction, making
