So I have a rear tire on my s2000 with only about 2000 mi on it. It has a side wall puncture. About 1 cm, kind of a gash on the inner side wall. The tire is not for track use. It's a Dunlop star spec. Is this ok to patch or need I replace the tire?

 

Replace

Sidewall patches are dangerous!

 

Definitely. As that tire heats up (especially when it gets warmer in a few months), that weak spot will grow into a big weak spot. Is the tire currently holding air, or is it a slow leak?

 

You should never patch a sidewall, just for future reference.

 

Obviously you know not to patch the sidewall by now.....but also on any type of performance tire H rated or better a plug/patch combo is the best way to patch even a tread puncture....The reason you don't patch the sidewall is because that is where all your flex and tire roll is.

 

Replace it is. As a follow up, the tire is a Dunlop star spec. 255/35 18". The sidewalls must be incredibly stiff but when I felt the rear getting squirmy I got off the highway and changed the tire. Well when the tire got pulled from the rim there was a pile of rubber inside equal to 2 handfuls and exposed steel at the sidewall/tread junction. of course the tire appeared normal on the inside. Just got me thinking you could have a tread puncture and plug it, never being aware of the damage done driving on a stiff sidewalled low profile tire.