In October 2025, tire repair strips were widely favored by car owners due to their low operation threshold and affordable price. However, recent disputes caused by improper technology have exposed the problem of the lack of service standards in the industry. From the controversy over the 30-yuan tire repair fee to complaints about air leakage after the repair, the "double-edged sword" effect of rubber strip repair has drawn social attention.

Case Report: 30-yuan tire Repair Triggers a Trust Crisis
On July 17th, Mr. Wang, a citizen of Zhengzhou, had his tire punctured and then went to a tire store to repair it with adhesive tape. The shop assistant inserted the adhesive tape directly without enlarging the hole, resulting in air leakage after patching. Moreover, their service attitude was extremely bad, mocking Mr. Wang as "unable to afford 30 yuan". After the intervention of the industry and Commerce Department, although the store owner agreed to make a free re-repair, Mr. Wang insisted on changing the store for maintenance. Industry insiders point out that the type of adhesive tape repair should be selected based on the thickness of the hole. Improper operation can easily expand the damage. It is recommended to give priority to choosing a regular store that can provide patch internal repair.

Technical dispute: Can rubber strips replace professional maintenance?
Tire repair strips are divided into two types: cowhide strips and vulcanized strips. The beef tendon strips rely on physical filling and are suitable for nail holes under 6mm, but they have relatively poor durability. Vulcanized rubber strips enhance sealing performance through chemical cross-linking, but special tools are required for operation. Mr. Guo, a car mechanic, admitted frankly, "The rubber strips on the Internet cost a few cents each, but if the skills are not up to par, they still leak air." Although regular store patch internal patching is expensive, it can completely solve the problem." Data shows that the return rate of adhesive tape repair within three months is 15%, which is much higher than the 3% of patch internal repair.

Price chaos: A test of integrity from 50 yuan to "self-discount"
On August 16th, Shanghai host Shi Yan went to a small store to have her tire patched with a nail. The master initially quoted 50 yuan. After inspection, it was found that it was not punctured thoroughly, so he voluntarily reduced the price to 30 yuan. Shi Yan insisted on paying 100 yuan, referring to the extra 70 yuan as "tuition". This incident has sparked heated discussions among netizens: "Charging is all based on the master's words. Honest operation is the way to last long." In contrast, the cost of hot glue tire repair at 4S stores is generally over 200 yuan, and the high-priced and low-quality service has been frequently criticized.

The industry calls for: establishing standardized and regulated services
A staff member from the Municipal Motor Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Management Office said, "There are various methods for tire repair, but the core is to solve the problem." At present, there is no national standard for adhesive tape repair. Some small stores use inferior adhesive tapes to cut costs, which leads to safety hazards. Experts suggest that car owners should choose stores that offer warranty and keep the consumption vouchers. Meanwhile, industry associations are promoting the formulation of technical standards for tire repair, requiring practitioners to hold certificates to work and safeguarding consumers' rights and interests.

Conclusion
The popularity of tire repair strips reflects car owners' demands for efficient and low-cost maintenance, but it also reveals the contradiction between technical barriers and service standards. In the future, as industry standards improve and consumer awareness rises, this "emergency wonder" may truly become a guarantee for safe travel.