A tyre cut can be frustrating and possibly dangerous. Your car can break down anytime and leave you stranded on the roadside. Should I get it repaired or replaced is a question many ask. The answer depends on what kind of cut we are dealing with and where the cut is, and what type of tyre is in use.

Understanding Tyre Construction

Before getting into repair or replacement, let’s understand the basic structure of a tyre in brief. A tyre has several different layers:

• The layer that comes in contact with the road is called the tread.
• Multiple layers of steel or fiber cords providing strength to the tyre are called belts.
• The sidewall of a tyre is the flexible side that keeps it upright and expands and contracts for stability over bumps, potholes and other anomalies on the road surface.
• The bead is the inner edge that reinforces the tyre to the rim.

When to Fix a Tyre Cut?

A tyre cut can be fixed in the following situations:

• The cut should occur within the tread area and not on the sidewall or shoulder. Usually, sidewall cuts cannot be repaired as the structural integrity of the tyre is compromised.
• The cut should be relatively small, usually less than ¼ of an inch. Larger cuts are harder to repair and tend to reopen after a short while, and of course it’s highly dangerous to drive with a heavily damaged tyre.
• The cut must not have gone through the belt layer. If the belt is broken, the tyre has to be changed.
• If the tyre is affected by a particular event and you are still under warranty coverage, refer to the repair guidelines by the manufacturer to avoid disputed claims.

Tyre Repair Process

When the tyre cut meets the repair standards, usually, a technician will follow the following steps:

• Inspection: The technician will inspect the tyre to check the damage.
• Cleaning: The affected area is cleaned to remove debris and contaminants.
• Plugging: A special plug inserted to close the punctured area.
• Patching: A patch is used from the inside of the tyre to strengthen the repair work.
• Balancing: The tyre is balanced using weights after mounting, so the vehicle runs smooth and safe.

However, not every puncture repair shop follows these steps and may often skip on the cleaning and balancing bits. As mentioned, cleaning the damaged area is essential for the puncture repair and patchwork to stick, and tyre balancing is needed for optimal suspension. So, we recommend contacting a professional tyre repair shop which has the requisite equipment or an Apollo Tyres shop for tyre damage repair.

When to Change a Tyre Which Has a Cut?

There are some instances when it’s safest and wisest to replace the tyre, these include:

• Damage to the Sidewall: Any cut or damage to the sidewall, regardless of how small it may be, requires replacement. The sidewall is part of the tyre structure and driving around with a damaged sidewall can lead to a terrible failure.
• Deeper Cuts: When the cut in the tyre is deeper than a quarter of an inch or penetrates the belt layer of the tyre, it’s better to replace it.
• Multiple Cuts: If there are multiple punctures and cuts (even small ones), it is better to have the tyre replaced, because repeatedly fixing a tyre makes it weaker.
• Old Tyres With Cuts: If your tyres are past their half life, it’s prudent to replace them when a cut occurs. Because once the structural integrity of a worn tyre is compromised, repairs become less reliable.
• Tyres With Other Visible Damages: If your tyre also has visible bulges or blisters, it indicates internal damage and that tyre must be replaced without delay.

Tips for Tyre Maintenance and Extending Tyre Life

Proper tyre maintenance is essential for safe driving and better fuel efficiency. Here are some important tips:

• Perform a regular inspection of the tread depth, ensure that your tread depth is at least 1.6 mm.
• Maintain the right amount of pressure on the tyres as suggested by the car manufacturer. Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres lead to uneven wear and reduced performance.
• Get your wheels aligned and balanced to eliminate any vibrations for a comfortable driving experience.
• Don't drive aggressively, it speeds up the wear on your tyres.
• Keep speeds moderate, too high of a speed increases the tyre’s surface temperature and wears the tyre faster.
• Stay clear of potholes and road hazards as they can harm your tyres.
• Make sure to rotate your tyres regularly to ensure even wear.
• Keep your tyres clean; use water repelling tyre cleaners to keep moisture away.
• Store tyres in a cool, dry place when not in use.
• Choose tyres compatible with your vehicle’s load requirements and driving conditions.
• Don’t put extra weight in the vehicle, which can stress the tyres.
• Check for and repair any punctures as soon as possible.
• Think about getting a Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) – this can inform you of low tyre pressure and help your tyres perform properly.

In Conclusion

The choice between tyre repair and replacement is a difficult one and requires a deep understanding of how tyres work, their structure and running abilities. With more rugged tyres like off-road SUV tyres, you can ignore minor cuts and chips, because they come with higher tread composition, but on regular car tyres, chips and cuts can degrade the performance quickly and make them unsafe to use.

When in doubt, replacing the tyre is a better option than risking it. Even if you think the damage is not as severe, getting the tyre checked by a technician is recommended. You can simply search for “Apollo Tyre shops near me” on your maps application and reach us for professional guidance.