Tire Patched- any effect on performance?
 

I just had a nail removed from my tire and had it patched. They put in this orange stem into the hole. Does anyone know the impact this will have on Temperature stability, etc? Will it negatively impact the effective speed rating? Not that I drive that fast anyhow, but just curious.

The police dept's., CHP do not drive on patched tires! Nail in the tire, the tire is replaced! Something to think about!:tiphat:

I would consider that the speed rating would be compromised. I've driven just fine on patched tires and even raced them at auto-cross (< 70m/h), but I wont drive them at high speed on the track. A high speed blowout is a rather major event, so even if the chance is less than 1% you don't want to take that chance. If you're just driving it on the road at fairly normal speeds you should do fine.

:iagree:

I asked my dad - who worked at B.F.Goodrich. If they use the correct patch and procedure - the speed rating is not compromised. The biggest problem is water infiltration of the steel inside the tire belts.

He also mentioned that an under-inflated a tire has a compromised speed rating.

Actually even a properly inflated tire can have a compromised speed rating. Typically the inflation requirements increase with speed as well as load to reduce the amount of sidewall flex and hence heat. But that's for sustained speeds above 120 mph.

Here's a decent article on tirerack.
Tire Tech Information - Air Pressure/Load Adjustment for High Speed Driving

Great- thanks guys.

Well i just walked down stairs to my car to find a screw in the side of my tyre!!! Ahh always my luck!!! not even 2500km on the tyre!!!!
Sent it in now to see if it can be patched.... :shakes head:

Driving small distances at speeds under 45 is okay in my opinion. But any highway driving is not reasonable. You should just change all 4 tires. Or buy 4 and change that one nailed tire.

WTF how does a screw get into the side of a tire? And btw, a hole in the sidewall sounds dangerous, imo.

IMO, I would think it safe for highway driving and below. I would take it easy and monitor your tire pressure.

Most blowouts occur due to underinflation...but in this case, now the tire itself is SLIGHTLY out of balance - to the point where you more than likely won't feel the vibration caused by it, but it's not completely balanced before.

I'd take it easy. I'd also replace the tire as soon as your able. If it's your DD, then with the colder temps coming around you'll probably be fine until spring.

Sidewall = replace. No question.

Is it an OEM tire or a replacement set? I ask becuase my local tire dealer always gives a prorated discount for replacements, depending on the mileage.

From what I understand, a puncture to the sidewall should not be repaired. Its not that it can't be done, it's just not advisable for safety reasons. The edges of the tires take a lot of load in turns and its right near where the edges of the belts are.

Hey Eric, that's a nice red Z...planning an an Eclipse upgrade? :tup: