Tyre Repairs

If you notice that one of your tyres is deflating faster than usual, we recommend getting it checked out by a trained professional immediately. Driving on an underinflated tyre is not only dangerous, but it can also cause further damage to the tyre. Our expert team at DC Tyres will first do a thorough inspection of your tyre to identify the problem before recommending repairing or replacing it.

It is important for effective and reliable tyre repairs that they are performed in accordance to this standard.

The most common damage to tyres is without a doubt tread puncture, which will statistically occur approximately every 100,000km.

Injuries to tyres can be classified into major and minor tyre repairs; minor tyre repairs consist of damage limited to rubber only or tread punctures to a maximum size of between 6 – 10mm, depending on the tyre classification. These types of tyre damage can be repaired using minor tyre repair methodology as per the South African Standard.

Where tyre damage exceeds these limits, then damage will be classified as major damage requiring a different tyre repair methodology to be applied.

Punctures in tubeless tyres must only be repaired by fitting a vulcanized plug or patch from the inside of the tyre. In all cases the tyre must be removed from the rim to check for internal damage. Plugs that are fitted from the outside do not provide a permanent tyre repair. Tyre repairs are only allowed in the tread area and are best performed by a reputable tyre repair dealer.

How long should tyres last?

Too many factors affect tread wear rates to allow an accurate answer to this question.

Some, such as “enthusiastic” driving styles, high speed operation and cornering, harsh braking and hard acceleration will be influenced by the driver. But factors like road surface, climatic conditions and tyre and vehicle design aren't.

When is a tyre worn out?

• The law requires a minimum of 1.5 mm of tread across the face of the tyre normally in contact with the road.
• To help gauge this, car tyres have tread wear indicator bars moulded across the tread at regular intervals around the tyre.
• The tread is at its legal limit when the wear bar is level with the tread blocks.
• This is the minimum legal tread requirement, but the tyre should be replaced well before it gets to this point as wet weather performance will diminish.

Remember also that cuts or other damage can render a tyres road worth as well.

Can a tyre be too old?

• There is no law that specifies when a tyre is too old for further use.
• A tyre's serviceability is determined by its condition, not its age.
• Some industry experts suggest that worn out or not, a tyre may have passed its useful life after about five years, however this is not recognized in law.
• A tyre can deteriorate, even if it's been sitting unused in the spare wheel well.
• A production date code is usually moulded into the tyre sidewall. Consult a reputable tyre dealer for further advice on interpreting this code.

Some good guidelines to repair:

• The tyre must be removed from the rim and inspected inside prior to repair.
• Never repair a tyre that is outside the limits of repair detailed in the South African Standard
• The South African Standard requires that the cavity or hole must be filled and an appropriate patch be placed from inside the tyre. A mushroom plug will cover both requirements.
• Punctures, classified as a minor damage are only located in the tread area, any puncture or protrusion injury into sidewall or shoulder cannot be classified as minor and may not be repaired using the minor repair methodology and materials (mushroom plug)
• Tubeless tyres require a suitable sealer to be applied around the buffed area that is larger than the patch.
• Tyre Repair technicians should be trained and competent in identifying damage and tyre repair methods that meet the South African Standard and in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Tyre repair material used must not be beyond expiry date, consist of matching components and attention should be paid to the proven quality of the products.

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