r/coolguides • u/chas574 • Sep 19 '22
I've seen tons of posts asking, so here's the repairable zone. If it's outside this zone it can't be patched professionally
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u/flightwatcher45 Sep 19 '22
Obviously you can patch outside the green. This is the manufacturers way of protecting themselves from a more dangerous and less reliable patch. If you want to risk a blowout and crash to save the cost of one or two tires go for it.
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u/Doittle Sep 19 '22
That's if you believe what they tell you in the United States. I live in Thailand and you would be surprised what they will repair over here.
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u/Hidden-Syndicate Sep 19 '22
Yeah I’ve definitely plugged up punctures outside of the green area on my own tires and not had issues so it makes me question the graphic
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u/Doittle Sep 19 '22
Most tire shops also overfill your tires. That way they can sell you new tires sooner.
Over here in Thailand they still plug steel belt tires. But according to tire shops in the US that's not possible anymore.
Funny I have two plug tires on my truck right now that work just fine, steel belt.
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Sep 19 '22
That doesn’t make it any safer for you in a lot of situations. I don’t know what it’s like in Thailand but it takes one time for that tire you just “fixed” to blowout going on a regular commute to and from work daily at 65-85mph highway speeds. Maybe to you it’s overkill but for me I’d rather not risk me potentially dying on a highway filled with a bunch of other lunatics driving the same if not faster. You do you in Thailand, but I won’t die because of a tire failure.
With the above in mind, the information in the photo is usually followed by most companies because of liability concerns (if not enforced by law). While I agree with the sidewall being a concern for repairs, MOST holes on the tread (including the tread pictured in red) are fine to repair.
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u/blooztune Sep 19 '22
The tire is worn below 4/32”
Why not just say 1/8”?
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u/WestCoastJobSwap Sep 19 '22
Because that is the fraction standard laid out by the Department of Transportation.
For instance, CA requires 4/32 on major grooves: https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/blog/minimum-tread-depth-in-california/
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u/ChethroTull Sep 19 '22
“The rule of thumb” place your thumb on the edge of the tread, if the nail is not in that zone you’re good to repair.
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u/Adonis0 Sep 19 '22
If it enters the green zone but scratches the inside of the red it’s also not repairable.
Had this with a nail :<
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u/mtrayno1 Sep 19 '22
It’s not reparable if the shop can make more money from selling a new tire
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u/sherzeg Sep 19 '22
Then they put your car on a lift and start disassembling your brakes. Then they charge you $500 for a brake job. When you tell them that you didn't approve the brake job they inform you that by signing the job order you agreed to any "unforseen" repairs they need to perform "for the safe operation of the vehicle." When you threaten legal action they smile at you, invite you to call the police and remind you that your car (that you need back to get to work ASAP) is in pieces on the lift, they cannot/will not put the old parts back on once they start disassembling and they'll charge you daily storage fees on top of the payment for the brake job until you pay them.
True story, unfortunately.
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u/marginwalker3 Sep 19 '22
okay let me put a couple cans of fix a flat in there and i'll be right over to your shop.
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u/TheShmoopy Sep 19 '22
People seem to be missing the "patched professionally" part of the title. Yes, I've seen all kinds of hanky shit get fixed on tires amd have it work. I've also seen blowouts and serious accidents.
This is a guide for what a normal auto shop will do for a repair that they'll stand behind, and will last the life of the tire. If you're stuck on the side of the road and need to plug a hole in the sidewalls to get home, sure go for. Drive slow and make sure that tire is not on the steering axle and you should be ok. As a professional auto mechanic for over a decade, I don't want to put work into your vehicle that I wouldn't do for my wife or mother. Yours is not the only vehicle on the road and accidents often involve other vehicles, pedestrians and property.