Recently, with the increase in the demand for self-driving Tours and commuting, incidents of car tires being punctured have occurred from time to time. A tool called "tire repair tape" has seen a sharp increase in sales on e-commerce platforms due to its ease of operation and low price, becoming an essential item for many car owners. However, is this product that claims "even a novice can become a mechanic in an instant" really suitable for non-professionals to operate on their own? The reporter launched an investigation into this.

"Ten-minute tire repair" : Its convenience attracts car owners to give it a try
On multiple e-commerce platforms, the prices of tire repair rubber strip sets range from tens of yuan to several dozen yuan, with the highest monthly sales reaching tens of thousands of pieces. The product promotion generally emphasizes "no jack required", "no need to remove the tire", and "plug in and fix", and comes with video tutorials, promising users "to complete the tire repair within ten minutes".

The last time I got a punctured tire at a highway service area, it cost 80 yuan to repair it and I had to wait for half an hour. When I see this kind of adhesive tape, I'll buy it and keep it on hand. Who knows, it might come in handy? Mr. Wang, the car owner, told the reporter. Like Mr. Wang, many car owners, having experienced the inconvenience of emergency tire repair, are attracted by the convenience of tire repair strips.

Operation test: Seemingly simple but concealing thresholds
The reporter purchased a set of tire repair rubber strips for actual testing. The set includes a conical file, threading needles, several rubber tire repair strips and glue. According to the steps in the manual, first find the leak point, expand the wound with a file, dip it in glue and insert the adhesive strip, and finally cut off the excess part.

What seems like a simple process actually encounters multiple difficulties in operation: Firstly, accurately identifying the leakage points requires experience. Novices may repeatedly operate due to inaccurate positioning. Secondly, forcefully expanding the wound and inserting the adhesive tape require considerable strength, which may be difficult for female users. The most crucial point is that improper operation may cause the wound to expand and even damage the tire cord.

Master Liu, a senior technician at a certain auto repair shop, said, "Tire repair strips are only suitable for small straight punctures on the tire surface, and there are strict requirements for the insertion Angle and depth." It is difficult for ordinary people to grasp, which may leave potential safety hazards.

Professional: It's fine for temporary emergencies, but there are risks in long-term use
Experts from the Automobile Maintenance Industry Association pointed out that tire repair rubber strips belong to the "external repair method", and their sealing performance and durability are not as good as the professional "internal repair method" (hot repair and mushroom nail repair). Rubber tape tire repair can only be used as a temporary emergency measure, allowing the vehicle to barely reach the nearest repair point. Professional repair is still required afterwards; otherwise, there may be risks of rubber strip detachment, slow air leakage or even tire blowout at high speeds or in complex road conditions.

Furthermore, not all tire damages are suitable for rubber tape repair. The following situations strictly prohibit its use:

The diameter of the wound exceeds 6 millimeters

The sidewall of the tire is damaged or bulging

The wound is slanted or torn

The tyre has been repaired many times

Industry advice: Convenience and security need to be balanced
Industry insiders suggest whether non-professionals should repair their tires by themselves

Prioritize safety: On highways or in areas with heavy traffic, call for rescue instead of taking the risk of mending a tire by yourself

Recognize the usage restrictions: Only for temporary emergency use at small tire tread holes, with a driving speed not exceeding 80km/h

Timely and professional repair: After using the adhesive tape, you should go to a professional store as soon as possible for inspection and permanent repair

Beginners should start with practice: They can practice operating on old tires to get familiar with the process

"The product itself is not wrong. The key is to correctly understand its purpose." " The founder of a certain automotive self-media stated, "Tire repair tape is like a band-aid. It can deal with small wounds but cannot cure serious diseases."

Journalist's Notes
The popularity of tire repair strips reflects car owners' demand for convenient car repair services. However, there is no such thing as a trivial matter when it comes to car safety. Any maintenance operation requires professional knowledge and experience to support it. In the current era when product promotion emphasizes "minimalist operation", consumers need to remain rational and find a balance between convenience and safety. After all, there are countless roads, but safety comes first.