"They had gotten jammed and opened a nice gash in my tire, about 3/4" long".

That's a long gash. RIP tire..

Life is worth more than a tire...

 

I always look at it this way IF it were just myself MAYBE I would try and fix it ! But since my wife and gran kids use the car wife driving 2 yr olds around I would go stright and buy a tire most likely knowing me 4 tires and a extra rim and put the best one of the other 4 on it for a spare .

Beats that dummie spare they send out with most cars these days .

 

But where would you put the spare? It won't fit in the well......

 

Geg - I agree - sometimes we have it too easy over here, but sometimes it's a blessing.

I picked up a spike right on the edge of the tread about 5 years ago on my Avenger - typically they recommend replacing the tire as it is too close to the sidewall. But my tire shop said they could use a vulcanized reinforced patch and would guarantee it. Replacing the tire would have been a bit over $250, so I went for the patch. They installed it and I used the tire till it was worn out. I did keep a close eye on it, but it never lost any air.

But each situation is going to be different with tire damage - so the tire shop should remove the tire and inspect for damage and determine if the tire can be saved.

 

You are taking your life in your hands when you drive on a tire that has had that type of damage to it. Next what happens if it blows out and the cap tread comes off of it beats the hellout of your car?

 

I will not argue.
Better safe than sorry.

 

That happened to me too! I just bought a new wheel well at Rockauto.com for $30.

 

The problem that we are expecting here is not a flat tire, it is catastrophic de-lamination! That means the tread portion of the tire goes flying off, people dying and personal property being damaged! Picture a retread from a truck tire flying off, but your HHR is made out of much lighter grade material and is much more unstable.

With all due respect for countries that are still in the early 20th century, there is a limit to what can be "jerry-rigged". You CANNOT hot galvanize patch a modern passenger car tire (PERIOD). Early 20th century tires where made differently, it's like the difference between a horse shoe and a rubber tire.

Please don't drive near me with that sort of patch!

 

hey! I understood correctly? $ 30 for 4 pieces of tires?
If this is true, then we "f..ck as cleaners" in Russia. If i see a new tire for $ 120 / 1 - it's great luck or defective goods.
Now I understand why the U.S. is easier to replace the tire than to repair them.

 

Geg- He was referring to the black plastic wheel well, not a tire.