As you know, the tire is part of the suspension system of a vehicle, and it plays a unique role in keeping you in control of the car while driving. All the weight of the car, including the added weight of either humans or objects. This is why it is essential to keep your tires in perfect shape and making sure that you check up on your tires.

One of the simplest ways of maintaining your tire is by giving it a regular rotation, that is how often you get to rotate your car tires. Your vehicle tires should be able to grip the road when in motion, whether the road is wet or dry.

Why Should You Have Your Car Tires Rotated?

Your front and rear tire(back tires) wear differently because the weight of the car is not evenly distributed to the tires. For example, your front tire carries more of the car’s weight, and this will cause the front tires to wear before the rear tires do (back tires).

Making turn or corners wears your front tires more quickly than that of the rear tires because when you take a turn, most notably taking turns through the right tires, the vehicle rests the load more on the right side of the tire, thereby causing it to wear faster than the left tire. After driving for a long while, of course, you should expect that there will be wearing tire treads, this is always bound to happen.

Now, the essence of rotating your tires from one position to another is to make the natural wear even. This will help such that you wouldn’t have to change your tires almost every time because of fatal damages done on the tire. This will save money for you as time goes on.

In What Time Sequence Should Your Tire Rotation Be?

Once you go about three thousand to five thousand miles, you should rotate your tires, even when they don’t show any sign of wear. One recommended way to do it is to do so every time you have to get your engine, new oil, or go for servicing your vehicle.

You must rotate your tires within this mileage if you hope in reducing the cost of maintaining your vehicle or changing tires. That period when to rotate your tire should be when you are doing servicing on your car.

Tools Needed

Removing your tires for rotation is not much of an issue once the necessary tool to do that is present. We will be looking at some of the tools needed for tire rotation.

Carjack – Every vehicle comes with a jack just in case you want to use your car jack to lift your vehicle; it is safe. This tool is designed to help raise the car for the period required to do a quick change of your car tire(s) but to a particular height. When the jack you use is a hydraulic one, there can be no safer method. A good jack will go you the lift needed for the process and get the work done in no time.

Jack stands – After getting your vehicle up, you will need jack stands as a rest for your car while you remove and switch the tires. Different kinds of jack stands could fit every vehicle's weight and size.

The Patterns Of Rotation: Non-Directional Or Directional Tires

Before you start loosening the studs and nuts of the tires, you need to know the pattern to which you want to switch the tires. The way your vehicle is being rotated depends on your car pattern of rotation.

For Directional Tires

They come with a directional tread pattern precisely for the car's tires' direction. These are specially made for both sides (either left or right).  On the tires, you’d notice little arrows or small triangles indicating the supposed car tire's direction. However, to rotate the front tires, you will have to swap the front right tires with the back right tires and also swap the front left tires with the end left tires.

Non-Directional Tires

The pattern of the tread for this kind of tires is designed so that it is perfect for any wheel. You have to go by the ‘cross-pattern so that you can rotate the Non-Directional Tires. For instance, the front tires are moved to the other sides of the rear tires, and the rear tires go forward when dealing with a car that has a rear-wheel drive, Vehicles with front-wheel drive, do precisely the opposite. The rear tires go to the other sides of the front wheels, and the latter moves back.

Rotating Your Tires: Step-by-Step

First of all, before trying to loosening the studs and nuts of the vehicle wheel, you will have to put your vehicle in park mode with the use of the gear handle in that way the tires are not able to move while attempting to remove the studs and nuts. This process is done after you have used your car jack, lift or jack stands to lift the vehicle to a certain level that you are comfortable with. Then, loosen the wheel nuts (loose all four tires).

The pattern of your tires —whether directional or non-directional— should affect how you rotate them after removal. After placing the tires back as appropriate, the studs and nut should be screwed again and tightened properly, remove the jack stands and car Jack’s, and now you are good to go! Repeat this procedure after 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

How To Rotate Tires With One Jack FAQs

How often should I rotate my tires?

Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles. But, many people will only get it done when they are doing a service on their vehicles.

Why is it important to rotate your tires?

Rotating tires helps the tire to last longer and cuts off excess and unnecessary spending that can be avoided. The way your tire wears off is determined by the weight that is distributed to every four tires. So, therefore, rotating tires will help them wear off at the same time but last longer before wearing off.

What is a tire rotation?

The pattern that is used during tire rotation is dependent on if your vehicle is front, rear, four or all-wheel drive, the drivetrain of your car affect how your tires wear over time.

DIY or Mechanic?

Well, it is better to allow a mechanic to do their job because rotating tires is best done manually. If you try doing it yourself, you might not be able to get the alignment properly, and it might be turned the wrong way. A trainer mechanic can make sure that your tires are rotated well.

Is it advisable to use just one jack to lift the vehicle for rotation?

No, it is dangerous to use just one jack, but advisable to use a jack stands to support the car jack to prevent an accident.

Final words and recommendations

If you have gone through this article, you will find out that it’s n even a big deal to do this rotation. It doesn’t cost much work only if you know the rotation Pattern of the tires. It is advised you use the car Jack’s and stands for this operation.

But for a regular mechanic workshop, to make your work more comfortable, you can use a lift to lift the vehicle a bit for an easy process.

There have been some fantastic advancements in the manufacturing of tires, but still, tires are liable to damages. However, this damage occurs as a result of punctures and cuts from sharp objects, portholes, and other impacts from road surfaces.

Eventually, the tire is made up of various parts, such as the tread, shoulder, and sidewall. Although every region is essential, the sidewall region is more crucial because it takes a lot of pressure when driving. However, this article will lead you on how to repair sidewall damage.

Causes and Types of Tire Damages

Damages on tires vary in their types and impact. Here are some prevalent causes and types of tire damage:

Causes of Tyre Damage

1. Volume of inflation

The volume of air pressure added to your tire is crucial if you want to prevent tire damage. If you over-inflate your car, it can lead to circumferential wearing off of your tire, while underinflation will lead to wearing off along the shoulder region. So it is essential to ensure accurate pressure measurement of your tire to ensure safety. Go for a professional tire service, if possible.

2. Misalignment

Another cause of tire damage is wheel misalignment. If your wheel is not fixed correctly, it will lead to tire damage. However, this sort of damage can be noticed when driving as the defaulted tire region will have a different movement when driving.

3. Wear and Tear

Wearing and tearing of tires is inevitable as long as you are using your tire. However, tires should be checked regularly, and it's not advisable to use tires over ten years from the manufacture date.

Types of Tire Damage

1. Irregular Tread Wear

The irregular tread is one of the most common forms of tire damage but the least observed. However, there are various kinds of irregular wear like one-sided, center, and heel and toe wear.

One side wear affects a particular area of the tire; it occurs when a wheel is not fixed correctly or misaligned. It takes place on the inner or outer edges of the tire based on the way the misalignment occurs, thereby resulting in an uneven wearing off of one side of the tire.

Center wear is a form of tire wear that occurs as a result of the over-inflation of a tire. When a tire is over-inflated, it causes the middle of the tire to bulge, thereby causing that region to have more friction with the road surface and wear out more than the other areas. 

Heel and toe wear occurs from regular car usage, but should not be underestimated. It happens when one tire wears off more than the others as they rub against the road surface.

For safety, it is advised that when your tire wears below 2mm- which is the minimum legal depth- it should be changed.

2. Improper Tire Type

There are different tires for different vehicles, but using the wrong tire for a particular car may result in damage. However, it is advised to consult a specialist or do a proper check before buying one.

3. Bulges and Cuts

This type of tire damage occurs on the sidewalls. Bulges occur from substantial impacts of hitting portholes, etc. thereby reducing the strength and air pressure of the tire, making it retain a bubble-like structure. Cuts, on the other hand, may result from friction with rough or sharp surfaces or edges.

4. Punctures

Punctures occur from piercing sharp objects on the road. It could result from a nail, glass, pins, etc. However, if the impact is active, it could amount to damaging and loss of air pressure resulting in loss of road traction and control.

5. Cracks

Cracks usually occur on the outer surface of the tire, and they are mainly caused by bad roads, sun, and normals wear and tear. Though their impacts may not be visible, in the long run, they can lead to loss of tire grip, control, and more substantial cracks if ignored.

Is It Safe to do Sidewall Tire Repair?

Professionals have frequently advised car users not to fix tire sidewall since it is too risky. The tire sidewall works differently from other parts of the tire because it carries more force when it moves in a different direction. So, fixing it is riskier as the tendency to break or explode after the repair is on the high side.

Who can Fix Sidewalls?

Fixing a tire sidewall required a lot of expertise as any lapses can lead to a serious safety hazard. Tire experts should do it, and this recommendation is not 100% guaranteed. However, to be on a safe side, avoid cheap repairs, and go for professionals who work according to the current car fix guidelines.

Items you will need

To know how to repair sidewall damage to tires, you need the following items:

• A tire plug
• A tire cement
• A plug installer( T-hand)
• Air compressor or vacuum
•  A cutter

Step by Step Process- How to Repair Sidewall Damage to Tires

Fixing a tire sidewall is not as simple as repairing the tread region, but if it's punctured a little by a nail, screw, etc. It can be fixed using tool kits. Here is a step by step method of how to repair sidewall damage to the tire.

Step 1

Deflate the tire and remove the penetrating material and pierce an awl through the hole to know the angle of penetration.

Step 2

Wipe and scrape the injury region with water(you can add soap if you wish).

Step 3

Cover the plug stem with cement and fix it to the wire puller.

Step 4

Move the plug stem in and out the injury as if you are pumping a bike tire. Push the wire puller through the injured part of the tire. Ensure the cement on the plug is still wet then pull the rubber on a steady frequency until ½ inch of rubber attached to the step plug is obvious outside.

Step 5

Take out the plug stem and fix it to the wire puller. Cover the plug with a fast dry cement.

Step 6

Force the wire puller through the damaged area from the inner part of the tire. Make sure the cement on the plugs is still wet. Drag the wire and pull slowly and steadily until 1⁄2inch of the gray rubber attached to the cap is showing outside the tire.

Step 7

Cut the remaining part of the rubber with a cutter, add some more cement and allow it to dry.

Step 8

Tips

Before handling any material, wear gloves as the tire cement can be sticky.

Warning

When driving, drive at low speed first to check the quality of the tire patch before going at high speed, think safety first.

How to Repair Tire Sidewall Damage FAQs

Where is the sidewall of a tire?

The sidewall is the part between the edge and bead of the tire.

Can slime fix sidewall damage?

Slime is made to fix damages on the tread area and cannot fix damages on the sidewall.

What causes holes in the sidewall of a tire?

Holes on the sidewall can result from several factors like potholes, debris, curbs, etc.

Is it okay to replace one tire?

Yes, it is, but it's best to replace tires in sets of two or four to ensure even wearing off.

Can anyone fix the tire sidewall of a car?

Final Words & Recommendation

The sidewall of a tire is what bears most of the pressures when the tire turns or climbs any high surface. So, it is best to give diligent attention to how it is repaired. However, going by this information, you are sure to have safe and better driving experience.

Many people can quickly fix a flat tire on their own, but putting a new tire on a rim can be tasking for most people.

Putting a new tire on your rim when a need is, is not so difficult a task to perform. You can decide to fix it yourself and keep your money to yourself. The steps involved are straightforward and require only a few types of equipment.

To put a new tire on a rim, you need to have the right size of tire for the rim. Tires and rims have different sizes, and so the right size should be used. Mounting tires on a rim can be done with a mounting machine or by hand. This article gives a step by step process of how to go about the two ways of mounting a tire on a rim.

Using a tire mounting machine - Step by step process

A mounting machine is used to install tires into a wheel. It is mostly used by expert car repairers but can also be used by car owners, as the process is easy to follow. It is the fastest way to mount a tire.

1. Grease the edge of the rim and the bead.

Once you have removed the old tire from the rim, the first step is to oil the edge of the rim and the inner layer of the tire (bead). The oiling makes it effortless to mount the tire on the rim.

2. Put in the valve stem.

If you had to remove the old valve stem with the old tire, you'd need to install new ones to inflate the tire when it is mounted on the rim. Put the valve stem from the interior of the rim, so it pushes out through the hole on the rim. You can then use a plier to pull it out till it is firm. You can also lubricate the valve stem to make it easy to pass through the hole.

3. Put the rim on the mounting machine

Put the rim on the tire upside down and hold it in place with the jaws there. Mounting machines come with a pedal. The pedal helps to keep the rim in place when mounting or demounting a tire from a rim.

4. Place the tire on the rim at an angle that ensures that one side is lower than the other. This is so that the mounting arm of the machine will have enough room to gild into the rim.

5. Press the mounting arm down, touching the outer layer of the rim. This is where the process in step 4 becomes essential because you'll have to adjust the angle to make sure the arm gets in. The mounting arm is what will be used to get the other part of the tire into the rim. This process gets the inner layer of the tire into the rim.

6. Press down the mounting arm once again and rotate the rim at the interval to get the outer layer into the rim. Turn the mounting table until you're sure the tire is correctly fixed into the rim.

7. Then re-inflate the tire by connecting the air compressor into the valve stem you installed earlier. Inflate to the right amount of air, and your tire is successfully mounted on the rim.

Mounting tires by hand - step by step process

Installing a tire by hand on your own is easy and saves you a lot of money. The following gives a step by step process of how to mount the tire on a rim by hand.

1. Place the rim on the ground upside down

2. Grease the inner edges of the tire with oil or lubricant, both up and down

3. Put in the valve stem if there's none there. Oil it and put it in the hole on the inner side of the rim. Make sure the valve stem is firmly inside the hole of the rim.

4. Place the tire on top of the rim on the ground. A flat and smooth ground surface will help in this case. You don't need to place the tire at an angle like with the mounting machine.

5. Step on top of the tire to push it down into the rim. A lot of pressure will be needed to force the tire down into the rim. Make sure you have someone at hand to help you with balance, so you don't slip off and fall. You might need to hop and jump on the tire a few times to push the tire in. 

6. Apply more grease to the upper layer on the tire and the rim. Step 5 above only pushes in the lower part of the tire. You still have the upper layer on top. The grease will help to force down the tire over the rim.

7. Use a pry bar to create space between the upper layer and the rim. Push down one side of the top layer into the rim, because all cannot be forced in at the same time.

8. With the pry bar still in place, move around the rim to push the tire in very well. You will also have to use your hand here. By the time this process is done, you would have successfully mounted the tire into the rim.

9. Inflate the tire with an air compressor fixed into the valve stem. Put the right amount of pressure into the tire.

Tips

1. Make sure you have the correct tire size for the rim

2. Use sufficient lubricant

3. When using the mounting machine, make sure your rim is placed upside down, you can never get the tire to enter the rim if it is facing up.

Warnings

1. Always put on eye and ear protection when using a mounting machine. This is to prepare ahead for any danger that might show up.

2. Be sure to inflate the tire to the correct air pressure after mounting

3. Do not try to mount the tire on a damaged rim; the assembling might have been tampered with

4. Do not mount a tire that has once been treated for flats. It might have been damaged inside and can blow out when inflating the tire.

How to put a New Tire on a Rim FAQs

How much time do I need to mount my tires at home?

It shouldn't be more than 1 or 2 hours, but it also depends on how fast and perfect you are with it.

Is it difficult to mount tires on my own? 

Mounting your tire on a rim is not all that difficult, but it takes the right equipment and the right steps. Following the steps in this article will go a long way in giving you all you need to mount your tire on your own.

Can I mount tires incorrectly? 

It is possible to mount tires incorrectly if you don’t follow the right steps and procedures. However, mounting tires incorrectly does not cause damage the tire or the rim, and it just won't roll well

What is the effect of incorrect wheel alignment on tires?

Incorrect wheel alignment increases the rate of wear and tear of your tire. It can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side when you are driving. 

Is it safe to replace a tubeless tire with a tube tire?

For a smooth and comfortable ride, it is recommended and safe that you tires of the same type on the wheels of yours.

Final words and recommendations

To mount your tires on your own, you can either use a mounting machine or go by hand. Not everyone can afford a mounting device or have access to one, but knowing the steps involved in the use can help anytime.

Tire leakages are a collective experience for drivers. The thing is you can never tell when or where you will pick up a tire leakage. Your tire can pick up a sharp object that can pierce and have it punctured in a way that creates a slow leakage. It can happen anywhere, maybe while on your way to a crucial business meeting, or while hurrying to get some essential items over at the store downtown.

Before we get on with the business of the day, let’s look at why it is useful to know how to plug your tire quickly in critical situations.

A friend of mine picked up a slow leakage while trying to park his vehicle at the hotel. It was a long trip, and he had to spend the night and then continue the journey the following day. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to carry his tire plug kit along, and there was no spare in the trunk. Meanwhile, the hotel was a reasonable distance away from town, on a lonely road, almost in the middle of nowhere.

In the face of critical situations like what my friend experienced, you need to apply some quick-plug techniques to save you from trouble. Knowledge on how to plug a tire without a plug kit can come in very handy in the most crucial situations. And, if you practice well, you can get it all done in less than a few minutes.

Why is it Important to Know How to Plug Your Tire without a Plug Kit?

Safety

Every driver must think safety first before anything else. You must be proactive in knowing precisely what to do in the most critical situations. Circumstances like these are usually not planned for, but they happen to even the best of us, and without any prior notice.

So, if you're thinking of safety, then it makes sense to gather as much extra info as you can to save up for the rainy day.

Remember, “safety first.”

Prevent Slow Leakages

Slow leakages can quickly result in a flat tire if the issue is not addressed, whether or not you have your plug kit with you. Slow leaks are hazardous; they can cause your vehicle to be unstable on the road. This problem can lead to a road accident.

If you're driving around with uneven wheels, your vehicle has higher chances of tipping over every time you negotiate a near sharp corner. The faulty tire in your car can cause unequal weight distribution that can make the vehicle tip over easily.

Save Fuel

Your car’s engine is forced to use up more fuel when there is a faulty or slow leaking tire. Also, if you should carry some extra weight in your trunk coupled with your leaking tire, you've declared a lavish fuel party for your engine.

Why is that? It is because the irregular or faulty tires will require more energy (which interprets into fuel) to rotate appropriately compared to the good ones without fault. Meanwhile, the rate of energy consumption by your tires is only as good as your least right tire.

There are several more reasons why this is such a valuable knowledge to have, but these three are crucial.

When Should You Plug A Car Tire?

Ultimately, you shouldn’t bank on plugging old tires, change them. However, if your car tire picks up a leak, and it’s still new, or has only done less than fifty-thousand miles, then you can consider plugging.

Also, you must avoid plugging your car’s tire if it has picked up a leak with a hole that has its diameter longer than a quarter inch.

Additionally, if your tire already has plugs, you should seriously consider changing them.

Should You Rather Plug or Patch A Car Tire?

The fact is, plugging or patching car tires only offers temporary assistance. If you handle it right, it should be able to carry you until you can get a new replacement.

Plugging tires still leaves other problems that affect the inner walls of your tires unaddressed or not adequately attended to. The inner walls of your tire that suffer friction from the rims and tire walls will be left with higher the rates of wearing and tearing unattended.

Also, you are not advised to plug a hole on your tire if you find the puncture around the tire’s sidewalls. The unvarying rotation of your tires while driving will cause expansions that will eventually force out your plug. If this happens while speeding, your vehicle can easily tip over. Also, if you do not check this correctly, it can develop into splits.

Additionally, you are not advised to plug bald tires because they might become much thinner from constant wearing and tearing. Instead, you should only plug thicker tires since they can uphold the plug more firmly.

How Long Can You Go with A Plugged Car Tire?

I don’t know whether this question should have been “how short should you drive on a plugged tire.” Lol. Anyhow, the answer is as short a time as possible. Bear in mind that the essence of plugging your tire in the first place was to offer temporary assistance. As soon as you reach the next tire shop, you must ensure that you have your tire replaced.

A good plugging job should be able to carry you for up to two-thousand miles (say that’s how far you are from the next tire store). However, this largely depends on how old and how in shape your tire is in the first place. A brand new car tire can cover up to three-thousand miles seamlessly.

How to Plug a Tire without a Tire Plug Kit

• An old tire
• A pair of working gloves
• A couple of sharp, heavy-duty scissors
• A reliable pair of pliers
• A set of screwdrivers
• An air compressor, and,
• Gorilla Glue

2. Locate and Remove The Piercing Object

The second step is to find the sharp object that punctured your tire. Now, put on your working gloves and begin to run your hands around the tire to feel for any sharp objects like screws or nails sticking out from your tire.

When trying to locate the sharp object, you must ensure that you do it in a well-lit location. If the pointed object has snapped, it can be more challenging to find. You may need a bright torchlight for illumination if you're doing this at night.

Run your fingers around and across the tire threads, especially if your tires are new as the sharp object can easily hide between them.

When you have found the sharp object, use your pair of clippers to pull out the sharp object from your tire gently. If you notice that the puncture has gone deep into the tire, you can use your flathead screwdriver to pry out the sharp object gently.

3. Improvise a Make-do Tire Plug

Take an old tire and cut small strips from it using your pair of heavy-duty scissors. Make sure that the strips are not too big. They should be small enough to fit into the puncture in the tire. However, their thickness should be such that they can stay in place during motion.

Also, when cutting the strips, ensure that you take the piece out from a portion of the old tire that is still smooth. Let the part of the strip you cut be free of exposed wires, patches, bumps, etc. or anything of that nature.

When you have gotten your piece of strip ready, apply a little Gorilla Glue on both sides. Afterward, insert it firmly inside the tire until the strip becomes flush with the surface of the tire. The Gorilla Glue will help to make sure that the strip fits and sticks firmly inside to seal off the puncture. You can clean off any excess glue on your tools.

After that, you can fill up the tire with air and ensure that it is replaced appropriately on the vehicle. It takes only a couple few seconds for the gorilla glue to dry. So, by now, your tire would have been long set to hit the road again.

That’s it; you're all set and rolling!

Here are some simple quick-fire steps to help you get your car back on the road if you get jammed without a plug kit.

1. The Tools

How to Plug a Tire Without a Plug Kit FAQs

Can I go for up to 5 miles after plugging my tire?

Yes, after plugging your tire, you can go for up to 200 miles if you don’t find a replacement soon enough.

How long can a plugged tire carry me?

A plugged tire can carry you for up to 200 miles. However, you are advised to replace your tire with a new one at the closest tire replacement store.

Will the police allow me to drive around with a plugged tire?

Not really. It is not entirely safe to drive around in a plugged tire. The idea of plugging is to offer you temporary assistance. Police will want to know when you are replacing the tire. You should replace it quickly to avoid getting in trouble.

Can I plug an old tire?

No, it is not advisable to plug old tires. If your tire is still new and unfortunately got punctured, or has done less than 50,000 miles, you can consider plugging it.

Can I use a plugged tire as spare?

No, you are not advised to use a plugged tire as spare.

Final words and recommendations

Every driver must think of safety first. You never know when you will require plugging your tire even though you are not prepared. You may have forgotten to drive along with your plug kit and unknowingly picked up a sharp object on the road.

Knowledge of how to get by without a plug kit as what we have shared in this post can come in handy. Safety is not only about having all the tools you need but also knowing what to do when you're out of them. Good luck.

Every driver faces the challenge of tire damages one way or the other. Injury may result from punctures, cuts, potholes, and other tire damaging items.

However, there is some basic knowledge one should imbibe as a car owner to effectively handle and manage one's car. In this article, you will learn how to fix a hole in a tire and other benefits for adequate car care and management.

When can a Tire be Replaced?

To discern, when a tire needs to be replaced, one has to take into consideration the type, size, and area of damage. However, tires can be replaced in situations like:

Punctured Beyond Tread Limit

A tire that is cut or punctured beyond the tread area and extends to the sidewall or shoulder region, it is safe and better to buy a new tire.

1. Punctured Above ¼ of Inches

Punctures or cuts that go beyond one quarter(¼) inches or 6mm in diameter are considered to be too large and are considered to be unsafe.

2. Punctures above 16" apart

Punctures that are less than 16" apart require you to get a new tire as repairing them may be inefficient and unsafe because of the closeness.

3. Worn out Tires

When tires have worn out to the tread wear out limit, which is about 2/32 inch, the tires should be replaced.

4. Overlap Repairs

In situations whereby new damage occurs in a previously repaired region, it is safe to get a new tire because any repair done will be ineffective, which is unsafe.

Repairable Tire

You can repair your tire under any of the following conditions.

1. During Punctures

Patching up a punctured - whether by nails or other sharp objects- the tire is possible if the damage occurs in the tread region and doesn't go beyond one quarter(¼) of a rim diameter in inches or 6mm.

2. More than one Punctures

In the case of several punctures or cuts, repairs can be done as long as the cuts are 16 inches apart.

3. When Repairs do not Overlap

Repairs can be done on a tire if the repairs do not overlap as overlapped repairs are not valid because of worn out or less durable tread regions, which can be ineffective.

4. Cuts that occur in the Tread Region

Punctures or cut around the tread region is safe to repair. However, cuts on the sidewall or shoulder region are unrepairable.

Tire Repair Process

Having a puncture in a repairable area of the tire means it can be fixed. Here is a step by step process on how to fix a hole in a tire.

• Find out if your tire is repairable or not.
• Discover the area with the puncture or injury and highlight it. You can highlight with a tire crayon or use an ink marker but ensure it is visible enough.
• Take out the penetrating material and insert an awl into the hole to know the degree of penetration.
• Wipe and clean the injury region with water(you can add soap if you wish) and a scraper.
• Pierce through the damaged hole with a drill-on low speed- following the line of the penetration from the inner liner.
• Take out the plug stem and fix it to the wire puller. Cover the plug with a fast dry cement.
• Force the wire puller through the damaged area from the inner part of the tire. Make sure the cement on the plugs still wet. Drag the wire and pull slowly and steadily until 1⁄2inch of the gray rubber attached to the cap is showing outside the tire.
• With the use of a knife or cutter, cut the plug on the inner part of the tire ⅛ inches from the inner surface. Make sure you don't stretch the plug while cutting.
• Ensure the bead arrow of the repair area is directed towards the bead. Then put the center of the right side of the repair unit on the injured part. Highlight the area some ½ inches bigger than the repairing part.
• With the use of a buffer and buffing rasp, buff the plug and the highlighted inner line region. Ensure to use a low-speed buffer to avoid buffing through the inner layer of the tire.
• Remove the dust from buffing. You could use a vacuum then apply a fluid to clean the area, scrap and allow it to dry.
• Distribute fast-drying cement evenly on the buffed region and leave to dry but still sticky. Do not use any artificial drying tool as it may affect the process.
• When completely dry, remove some poly backing, but make sure to press the repair unit in place. Then stitch the unit starting from the center to the edges.
• Add sealer to the repair region and other over the buffed area. Then apply a sealer to the bead of the tire to help tighten it and to avoid air loss during inflation.
• After inflating, cut any excess plug stem around the outer tread region. Your tire is ready for use.

Non-repairable Tires

Tires are non-repairable of the have any of the following defects.

1. Cut outside the Tread Area

Tires punctured outside the repairable area cannot be repaired and should be changed — the repairable area in the middle of the crown region of the tire. Affecting the sidewall means it needs replacing as the sidewall cannot be repaired.

2. Deep Puncture

If the cut or puncture the beyond the recommended depth, which is ¼ or 6mm, then the tire is non-repairable as this can disrupt the functionality of the car and compromise safety.

3. Presence of Bubbles

If there is the presence of a bubble or a bulge on the sidewall of your tire, it is damaged because they are non-repairable. Bubbles or burger results from bumps, potholes, or other road impacts.

Puncture Outside Repair Area

The repairable area of a tire starts at about ½" from the tread edge where the steel belt is found. Areas beyond the steel belt are the shoulder and sidewall regions. The shoulder and sidewall regions are outside the repair area, and any puncture that occurs there cannot be repaired, and the tire needs to be changed.

Industry Standard for Tire Repair

There are various standards made by tire agencies like the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and Tire Industry Association (TIA). They include:

For the USTMA:

• According to USTMÀ, tire repair cannot overlap themselves. Either a rubber stem or plug should be used to cover the puncture or cut; after that, an automobile patch is used to cover the inner layer.
• Not all car tires should undergo repair. To know the repairability or limit of a car, consult a professional, or get recommendations from the manufacturer.
• Do not fix a tire that has been repaired wrongly before; such a tire must be scrapped.
• Do not repair a tire using only a plug or a patch as they are ineffective.
• Do not repair your tire on the wheel or repair turning the tire inside-out.

For the TIA:

• To perform a practical repair, remove the tire from the wheel, this will give room to examine the inside. Then take out the damaged item, cover the hole with rubber, and seal the inner liner using a repair unit.
• Using only a plug or a patch to repair a tire is unacceptable. This is because the plug will not totally cover the inner part, and the void will not completely cover the hole caused by the sharp object, thereby giving room for water to penetrate the tire, which can result in rusting of the rim.
• Avoid using sealants or urgent inflator that has sealants as they are not valid for lasting solutions for flat tires.
• Punctured tires should be repaired if the puncture is around the tread region. Any puncture on the sidewall or shoulder region of the tire cannot be repaired.
• Tires with overlapping punctures or punctures opposite each other cannot be repaired but scrapped.
•  Do not fix tires with injuries greater than ¼ inches or 6mm in diameter.

How To Fix a Hole in a Tire FAQs

Is it possible to replace one tire?

Yes. But only if the other tires have not reached the possible depth that is required to change them.

How long does a plugged tire last?

Without further puncture, a plugged tire can be used for up to 6 to 10 years.

How much is the cost of repairing a tire?

Fixing a punctured tire ranges from 10 to 20 dollars, this price also covers patching of the tire. However, some dealers will help you fix your tires for free if you buy tires from them.

Is it okay to drive with a nail in my car?

It depends, if the nail has not punctured deep, you can drive some short distance but make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Can I pull nails out of my tire?

You can if you have a spare tire ready. But if otherwise, leave the nail in until you take the tire to a repairer for full servicing.

Final words and recommendations

Having understood the basis of car damages and injuries, start implementing this knowledge, and enjoy a happy and joyous riding experience.

Have you ever steered a car that has dry-rotted tires? I’m pretty sure that you were frustrated and scared while driving it, right? In your case, have you driven vehicles that you had no sooner driven a few kilometers before it began to skid, leak, and lose control? If you are in that category, then you have driven a dry-rotted tire. There are lots of dangers attached to driving with a dry-rotted tire. Although some drivers know this, the population of drivers who cannot identify dry-rotted tires are numerous.

The question that comes to mind is that, what is a dry-rotted tire? To identify a dry-rotted tire, there are some signs which shows when a tire is dry rot: the tire begins to show cracks on the thread, it may also show cracks on the sidewall, the tire also becomes brittle because dry-rot dries out tires, the color of the tire may even start to become faded. Are you still doubting that dry-rotted tires exist? Here are some pictures of dry rotted tires.

You’ve seen how terrible and annoying, right? This is just how dry-rot tires look.
I’m sure that at this time, you’re quizzing yourself that, what causes dry-rot in tires? Many things could contribute to dry-rot in tires. These things are;

1. Age- 

Usage of tires over time can cause the tire to begin to have dry-rot; research has shown that tires can rot even without being used, i.e., they can rot even on the shelf due to exposure to certain elements. The inner lining of tires can also be said to rot with age because of the effect of oxidation by the air-filled into the tire. Overuse of tires can easily cause dry-rot.

2. Ultraviolet Light-

There is a variant of radioactivity in Sunlight called the Infrared or UV emissions. These radiations can cause degradation in the tires because it is made of rubber through a procedure named photodegradation. The primary cause of this isn’t the usual exposure to the sun but leaving your car in terrible heat conditions for long periods.

3. Ozone and oxygen

Oxygen has been known to destroy tires by contravention of the carbon and sulfur bonds in neoprene fragments, and it also produces loss of shines and lubricants, which are meant to protect the exterior of the tire. Ozone is a variant of gas made up of atoms of oxygen. It disrupts the chemical bonds in rubber through a procedure named ozonolysis, which causes the breakage of the tire.

4. Not enough inflation/air in your tires can also cause dry-rotted tires.

Furthermore, we would look into how dry-rot affects your tires, dry-rots make your tire wear out faster, they cause leaks in your tires, they could also cause your tire breaking out with could cause accidents. Dry-rots can also create holes in your tires, which would make them get deflated more often.

Basic Tire Repair Tools

1) Pliers: 

It is a hand tool that is used in pulling, cutting, or holding objects firmly.

2) T-handle Insert Tool

They are used for securing the plug into the tire and also used to clean the holes.

3) Tire plugs 

They are used for sealing the damaged sides of the tires. It is, therefore, important that every driver should have extra plugs in their cars always.

4) Rubber Cement

It is a type of glue that is made from mixing latex in a solution, which can be, toluene, hexane, heptane, or acetone. It is used to seal the tire plug into the leaking place.

5) Tire Inflator 

It is one of the vital tire repair tools. It can be an air compressor or a portable device that helps to pump air into tires after the repair is complete.

6) Car Jack

It is used for lifting a side of the car; it is almost impossible to repair the tire without removing it, thereby making a car jack a necessity.

How to repair your tires?

There are several steps to be taken to repair a tire. These steps are:

(i) Find the leak: Take a very close look at the tire to find where the leak is, then mark the spot when found.

(ii) Unknot the lug nuts and jack the car up: you must loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench; you have to do this before jacking up the car. After doing this, then you jack the car up to enable you to remove the wheels.

(iii) Eradicate the lug nuts and clean the hole: remove the lug nuts altogether and then pull off the wheel off the wheelbase. After that, use the rasp tool to clean the hole/ the leaking area.

(iv) Insert the plug: lubricate the plug with the glue, do not remove the plug for at least a minute to allow the glue dry. When it's dry, cut out the excess plug from the tire surface

(v) Pump the Tire: fill the tire with air according to the recommended air pressure. Once this is done, you can now return the wheels, remove the car-jack and then tighten the lugs.
The number of years or how old a tire is does not necessarily determine or dictate when it should be changed. Once there are signs of dry-rotting, it should be replaced or repaired, and when the tires are at least three years old, this also depends on how frequently the car is being used.

Tires should last at least three years or more before dry-rotting and cracking occur. Also, this depends on the management of the car tires, how often the car is being driven, and the distance which the car covers per time.

How to Tell if Tires are Rotted FAQs

When should one replace one’s tires?Usually, when one’s tires attain the age of two years, they should be changed. However, at most, when they are three years old, they should be changed. This should be done to avert skidding and accidents in general

How do I learn how to replace tires?

Learning to replace is quite easy. You can either learn it from someone that knows how to replace tires or a vulcanizer.

My tires rot quickly; how do I prevent this?

In this case, it could be that you do not maintain your tires very well. If you want your tires to stand the test of time, do not expose them to harmful chemicals, ultraviolet rays, among other things.

I’m not sure about how to locate dry-tire rots. How do I detect it?

Locating a dry-tire rot is quite easy. First, you’ll notice that it will start with a little, sometimes unnoticeable crack. Afterward, it will widen. Once you see this, change the tire immediately

In case a dry-rot tire causes an accident, can I sue the manufacturers?

Yes, you can. However, you can only do this if you can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the tire faulted by the manufacturers, making it develop dry-rot quickly, thereby causing the accident.

Final words and recommendations

After examining the essentials of dry rotted tires, the need to change tires regularly among other things, it is essential and necessary that drivers should check their car tires for dry-rots and be proactive to change them immediately. Also, one should hesitate one’s the tires begin to have issues before one  or possibly replaces them.

Furthermore, drivers should have the necessary equipment for replacing car tires when the necessity arises. Every driver must learn the basics of replacing tires in case of an emergency. It cannot be overemphasized that proper care of one’s tires cannot be substituted. Remember, prevention is better than cure!

Have you ever wanted to draw a car tire? I’m a person who’s not the best in drawing but still want to draw the things I’m passionate about. Cars are one of them, so I’ve learned how to draw different parts of a car - like a tire.

Are you on the same page with me, and now want to learn how to draw a tire? Well then, let me show you.

How to Draw a Tire?

You can draw a tire from 3 possible angles - front view, side view, and from an angle where you can see the rim too, along with the front design of the rubber.

Drawing from the front and side view is comparatively easier, so let's get started with them. After you've drawn those, it'll be easier for you to draw from the more difficult angle.

Drawing a Tire from the front

To draw the tire from the front view, the first step is to mark the width of the tire. For this, make two slightly arched lines (top & bottom) that face to one another- and the distance between them is supposed to portray the height of the tire.

The width and height of the tire should match one another. Don’t draw a tire that is so wide but so short, or so narrow but so tall - it’ll look unrealistic.

The next step is to draw the walls. For that, connect the two arches in a way so that one end of an arch connects with the same end of another arch. The walls are supposed to look like they’re parallel to each other.

It’s quite straightforward to understand that the wall lines are in no way supposed to intersect each other - so draw in that fashion.

After that, you need to draw the vertical lines. Draw 2 or 3 lines that look parallel to the walls. These lines represent the tread design of the tire.

Then you should draw the small horizontal lines connecting those vertical lines. These lines represent the other tread design of the tire. So you should draw them in a way that you want the tire to look like.

Drawing the Tire from Side View

Drawing the tire from the side view is also quite straightforward. To start with, you need to draw two circles.

One circle represents the circumference of the tire. After that, draw another circle within that circle, which represents the circumference of the rim. The distance between the represents the thickness of the tire, so draw accordingly.

After we’re done bordering the tire and the rim, now it’s time to draw the spokes of the rim to give it our desired look. But before that, draw another very small circle in the middle which represents the center of the tire where the axles are connected to it.

Surrounding that small circle, draw five even smaller circles with the same distance between all of them - these represent the bolts that keep the tires and the axle connected.

Alright, now to draw the spokes, connect the center circle with the rim circle with two close parallel lines. These two lines together are supposed to look like one spoke. Draw a few of these to represent the other spokes.

And the pattern to draw those is quite up to you. Give the rim your desired look. Do some tweaks here and there and give the design some realistic looks. Be detailed to make the design shine, and don’t forget to take care of all the mistakes.

The Side-ish Angle

This seemed to be the most difficult angle to me to draw the tire. However, it’s not really impossible, right? We’ll find out.

We'll have to start with drawing the sidewalls of the tire. For that, we need to draw two egg-like ellipse shapes, one within another. These two ellipse shapes represent the outer and inner sidewall of the tire. The distance between them represents the thickness of the rubber tire.

Then it’s kind of a cylinder from there. Echo the outer ellipse from a distance that’ll represent the width of the tire.

Reach to the bottom, and draw two parallel straight-ish lines on the top and bottom to connect with the outer ellipse with this new shape. There should be a slight curve on these straight-ish lines, at the two ends of it.

Now draw a half-ellipse on the right side of the pre-drawn inner ellipse that outlined the rim. This will show the depth of the rim.

Now draw a little ellipse shape in the middle but it should be slightly moved towards the right side. This is to show the center of the wheel that connects with the axle. You can put whatever logo on it.

Again, draw a few smaller circles around them to show the bolts.

Now, in between the spaces of the bolts, draw V-shapes that almost connects to the inner ellipse. 

The closed side of the V-shape should find themselves between the space created by two bolts, whereas the spreaded side of the V-shape will be connecting to the inner ellipse. This will create the spokes.

You may draw one parallel line to appropriate legs of the V-shape, and within the V-shape, to create the depth of the spokes.

Now it's time to create the tread design. Well, it's quite simple. Draw a line exactly between the outermost border and the outer ellipse that we drew at the very beginning. This represents the center horizontal line.

Draw a few vertical lines within those borders and that middle lines. Start at one border, and make your way to the middle. They should be in an inclined angle to the outer border.

Reverse the angle as you reach the middle and has to reach the other border. Draw these vertical lines from top to bottom to create the tread design.

To provide some finishing touch, take your darker pencil and redraw the borders. Then do a few sketching in the appropriate places to highlight the shadows, and you’re done.

Wrapping up - How to Draw a Tire!

Now you have to the know-how of how to draw a tire. Remember that drawing is a creative thing and there's always scope to insert your creativity, so don't be afraid to do that.

You will see flat tires less frequently on a double axle travel trailer, but the chance is not zero. So it’ll be good for you if you already learn how to change a tire on a double axle travel trailer.

The good news for you is changing a flat tire on a double axle or tandem axle travel trailer is way easier than single axle vehicles. You'll need one simple dominant tool for that - a tire ramp.

Look, using a bottle jack to change tires on a double axle travel trailer is overkill and a waste of energy. If you need to do other maintenance tasks and you need a good amount of elevation, then you might use a bottle jack.

But just for changing a tire? Nah, a tire ramp - a way simpler tool will do great. 

Today I'll show you how to change a flat tire on a double axle travel trailer, using a tire ramp. From now on, you'll not only change the tire safely but also quickly so that you can get back on the road as early as possible.

The tools you need

You'll need one major yet simple tool for this job, the tire ramp designed for dual axle travel trailers if you already didn't know. Most other tools that you require are usually always there in your toolbox so you don't need to worry about them.

Still, here’s a checklist of the other tools that you’ll require - 

• Torque Wrench
• Lug wrench
• Breaker bar
• Socket
• Lubrication (optional)
• Tire pressure gauge (optional)
• Spare tire

How to change a tire on a double axle travel trailer using the Tire Ramp! - The Step by Step Guide

Find a Hard & Even Surface

The first step to carry out the operation is finding a hard, solid & even surface. Without a hard surface, you won't get the stability while working on your trailer. Even surface is required so that the trailer won't be wanting to move in a direction freely, being pulled by gravity.

Yes, the hand brake will work against that, but still having an even surface is preferred to avoid any unwanted scenario and remove the extra pressure from the hand brake.

After you’ve found a good surface to pull out the operation, loosen the lug nuts. Many tires have an extra cover over the nuts which is held by another screw. You will have to remove that screw to remove the cover and get access to the lug nuts.

However, remember that you shouldn’t loosen the lug nuts too much. You want to break the initial too tight phase of the nuts - we’ll remove the nuts completely later on.

Position the Ramp

Put the ramp close to the inflated tire.  If the rear tire is flat among the two, you'll have to pull the trailer forward. If the front is flat, you'll have to push the trailer backward. You just need to make sure that the trailer, the tow vehicle, and ramp are nicely aligned. 

Elevate & Secure the Trailer

After you've positioned the ramp, get in the driving seat and slowly drive the trailer backward or forward, depending on where you've positioned the ramp. Make sure the inflated tire gets top of the ramp nicely and sits perfectly on the curve that's meant to hold the trailer.

If it doesn't sit perfectly in the curve, it might tend to go, either way, so make sure the inflated tire is perfectly sitting in the curve. After that, put the trailer in park and also pull the handbrake to further ensure it stays in its position.

Let’s change the tire

Finally, we can get into changing the tire - the platform is set. Remember we loosened the lug nuts previously? Completely remove them this time. Take the flat tire/wheel off.

Now take the spare tire and mount it in the empty slot. Tighten the lug nuts to an extent but not extremely. There’s a process to tighten lug nuts which we’ll do just in a bit.

After tightening the lug nuts, get in the driving seat and drive the vehicle of the ramp, and pull the hand brakes again.

Whenever you're tightening the lug nuts, you need to check the torque of them. Running the lug nuts down with an impact gun or a simple wrench and calling it good is not the right practice.

Refer to your vehicle's owner manual where the torque range for the tires will be clearly mentioned. For example, a 6 lug 15-inch aluminum tire might have three stages of torque, 45-55, 95 and 115.

So first put your torque range on 45 and apply it on the lugs. Similarly, set it on 95 and then 105 and repeat the process. This way the lugs will be perfectly tightened & secured.

Once you’ve done that, put the lug nut cover on and put its screw in place and you’re done this time.

Tips & Warning

If you’re using your spare tire for the first time, you want to check its air pressure with the tire pressure gauge. It’ll be also useful if you lubricated the studs before you put the lug nuts back. 

Make sure you do the whole operation in a hard and even surface. If you have a helping hand you can guide you while you try to position the inflated tire in the tire ramp curve perfectly, it’ll be a great help.

Make sure you pull your hand brakes to the full extent so the vehicle won't move by any chance. And finally, tighten your lug nuts according to the guideline so that it won't come off and cause a hazard.

Wrap Up - How to change a tire on a double axle travel trailer

I believe ramps are a great alternative than bottle jacks when you’ve to change a flat tire. They’re less expensive, they’re less bulky, and operating them is easier too. They also cause less damage to the inflated tire too.

Also, changing a flat tire using a tire ramp always felt easier to me than doing that using a bottle jack. Bottle jack might be necessary for a few other maintenance tasks when you have to get under the truck, but changing a tire on a double axle, it’s an overkill.