WASHINGTON (April 6, 2011) — The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is offering its industry guidelines for passenger and light truck tire repair in a free downloadable format from its website.
The information is available as a wall chart or a step-by-step powerpoint presentation, the RMA said, along with a consumer information sheet and a short video on the importance of proper tire repair. Printed wall charts are available for purchase—$1 each for members, $2 each for non-members.
“Proper tire repair is an essential consumer safety practice,” said RMA President and CEO Charles Cannon. “Faulty or improper repairs may result in tires placed back into service that are at greater risk of failure.”
A 2006 RMA study of more than 14,000 scrap tires found that 17 percent of tires had a tire repair, of which 88 percent were considered improperly done.
Among several criteria the RMA recommends for performing a proper repair are:
- Repairs are limited to the tread area only. (No sidewall repairs.)
- Puncture injury cannot be greater than 1/4 inch (6mm) in diameter.
- Repairs must be performed by removing the tire from the rim/wheel assembly to perform a complete inspection to assess all damage that may be present.
- Repairs cannot overlap.
- A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner. A common repair unit is a one-piece unit with a stem and patch portion. A plug by itself is an unacceptable repair.
“Tire and automotive service professionals need to understand how to determine whether a tire can be repaired and then how to repair it correctly,” Mr. Cannon said.
“Consumers need to know that to ensure their safety, a proper tire repair takes more than 10 minutes and $10,” Mr. Cannon said. “If someone tells you (otherwise), you should take it somewhere else and have it done right.”
The RMA's wall chart is available for purchase at the RMA website. To download a free version, use this link.
Additionally, the page links to the Tire Industry Association's website for information about training programs.