Thanks to the research advancement in this area, there has been a stopgap remedy to help manage the situation known as tire plugs. Tire plugs are known to be very effective, and as such, many have asked the question “tires plug permanently?â€
No, a tire plug is not a permanent solution to your flat tire. Tire plugs are used to help manage the situation before you eventually get to an automobile workshop or change the tire with a spare.Â
Leaving it on for several years is never advisable even though it is possible, and the reason is simple; when a flat occurs, it means a substantial amount of air has left the tire leaving it with less pressure, as a result, you might want to pump in more air which might compromise the solidity of the plug if not installed correctly which leaves you with the only option of driving it around until a permanent solution is made.
A careful driver will always have a tire plug kit in his/her car to help out in such unforeseen circumstances – it’s really a no-brainer. Below are some benefits of tire plugs.
They save you from frustrating situations  Â
Imagine being in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire and no mechanic in sight, sounds hopeless, right? But not when you have a tire plug.
With a tire plug kit, you can quickly stop the air from leaking all out and manage the situation until you get to your destination.
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They are cheap
Tire plugs are very affordable, especially when you consider the help they bring along. The process of fixing a tire plug is straightforward and can be done by almost anybody as I will be explaining shortly.
How long can I drive on plugged tires?
The answer to this question would normally depend on the puncture size since it varies. In a normal circumstance, you can drive around with a tire plug for years without any issues, but experts have suggested it’s not a good idea and advice you to replace your tire at the earliest opportunity.
You can drive around on a small puncture without having any immediate concerns, but you certainly can do such with larger-sized punctures.
Is a plugged tire safe?
If I’m being completely honest, a plugged tire is only considered ‘safe enough to get you to the nearest repair shop without having to face any major challenges, as long as the tire plug is properly installed, air will stop leaking out of your tire making it possible to drive. However, any other distance you hope to cover with a plugged tire will entirely be at your own risk.Â
How to plug a tire
Materials needed
- A complete plug kit
- A tire pump
- Soapy water in a container
- TapeÂ
Step 1
Drive to safety
You wouldn’t want to stay in the middle of the road while at this. Try as much as you can and move to the shoulder of the highway or road before getting your hands dirty. It is for your safety, that of your car, and other users of the road.
Step 2
Locate the puncture
Once you are sure of your safety, locate the puncture. Locating the puncture can be done in two ways; removing the tires or using jack stands. Removing the tires is pretty advisable as it provides you with a clear view of what you need to accomplish, however it could take your time to get the tires off the wheels and fix them back upon completion.Â
Using a jack stand on the other hand means you wouldn’t have to remove the tires from the wheels, but then your vision could be obscured and you might not do a proper job. You would need a hydraulic jack as well which could be a challenge to set up in swampy areas – you would also need it to take off the tires. Your best bet? Take off the tires.
Once the affected tire is off, locate the cause of the flat. It could be caused by anything, but since most flats are caused by nails I will be using it as a case study.
After locating the puncture, don’t be in a haste to remove it, but if you can’t locate the puncture, you might have to locate it using your soapy water – another reason why you should take off the tire completely.
Put some soapy water on the area you suspect the puncture would be, you can know the exact spot by spotting some bubbles coming up, and in some rare cases, you might hear a slight hissing sound if you hold your ears close to it.
Step 3
Mark the sport for repair
This step is as important as the second if you don’t want your effort to be futile. Get your tape and place it directly under the spot you have located, then use a pen to mark the exact spot the puncture is located.
This simple procedure will help you locate the exact spot the puncture was located without having to repeat the latter part of step 2.
Step 4
Remove the nail from the spot
After marking the spot, go ahead and remove the nail from the hole. Your hand might not do the job so you might need pliers to properly grip the nail or a screwdriver in case of a screw. While at it, ensure you have a proper grip on the tire so it doesn’t roll off or worst still, injure yourself.
Step 5
Time to rim out the hole
Get your tire plug kit and use the tool that looks like a round file having a handle. This piece of material is used to rough up and clean the hole left by the nail before plugging.
Ram this tool through the hole by moving it up and down a couple of times to make it rough on the inside – don’t take this part for granted as it can make or mar the entire process. Do it thoroughly.
Step 6Â
Use the plug tool
Use the sticky tar worm-like object in your plug kit. Start by peeling it off and trying threading it through a tool in the kit that looks like a big needle.
You probably have to squeeze the end of the worm to get it to enter the eye of the big needle. Once this is done, pull the thread and ensure it is centralized on the big needle.
Step 7
Plug the puncture
Once step 6 is achieved, put the plug tool containing the thread into the punctured part and apply the right amount of pressure and ensure the thread sinks into the hole – ensure about half an inch sticks out. Yank out the plug tool, and as you will notice, the thread will be in the hole. You can use a razor or scissors to trim the thread, but if none is available, you can do it later.
Step 8
Pump your tire
You can proceed to pump your tire using the specified PSI of your vehicle and confirm you have done a proper job by ensuring the air you pumped in isn’t leaking.
Once you ascertain the leaking status, fix back the tire into the original position and tighten the bolts and nuts adequately.
As stated earlier, drive to the nearest Auto-shop and get your tire properly fixed by a professional to ensure your total peace of mind when driving. A tire plug is not a permanent solution – do the needful.
FAQs
Is it better to plug a tire or patch it?
Ideally, you are better off with a patch than a plug. It’s no lie that tire plugs are very effective, but not as effective as tire patches since they stick. However, if you want the best solution, use both.
How long does a plugged tire last?
A tire that has been plugged in the past can last for about ten years. Experts will generally agree that plugged tires for a very long time, but they have also warned that you shouldn’t plug a tire more than once as it creases the chances of a blowout and also reduce the speed rating of your tire. Essentially speaking, two plugs equals one brand new tire.
Can a plugged tire blow out?
As earlier stated, your tire stands a potential risk of blowing out if plugged more than once. However, I should also add that trying to plug a puncture on the sidewall of your tire isn’t ideal and could cause an immediate and dangerous blowout.
When should you not plug your tire?
You are not advised to plug a tire if the puncture occurs at the sidewall or the shoulder of the tire. If that happens to be the case though, you are advised to seek the guidance of a professional.
Is Tire Plug Permanent – Conclusion
Having said all that needs to be said, I hope you seek the proper channels in case of a puncture. Kindly drop your comments and suggestions in the comment section. Cheers!   Â
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.