You park your car and hear that unmistakable, dreadful hiss. But it’s not a snake; it’s a small puncture in your tire. Although the leak is slight, in a matter of hours, you’re going to have a flat.
And that’s when a tire plug becomes your best friend. With a small tire plug kit, you can repair a punctured tire without taking your car to the shop.
The best news is that even novices can plug a tire without a problem. So, if you notice a hiss, fear not. A tire plug has your back.
How to Plug a Tire
So, how do you decide the right time to plug a tire? Oftentimes, you need to assess what tire-fixing solutions you have, as well as the overall severity of the damage.
For small puncture holes ¼ of an inch in diameter or smaller, a tire plug will usually get you home or to a tire shop. But for more severe damage, you should also consider using the spare tire or using a portable air compressor to get you to the shop.
But if you have a tire plug and the hole is small enough, it’s a great temporary fix or an emergency solution. Here’s how to get the job done with minimal issues.
1. Find the Leak
Sometimes, finding the leak in your tire is easy. Just look for a nail, screw, or other debris lodged in the tire. Other times, locating the leak is a bit more tricky, especially if the debris has fallen out of the tire.
In this case, you’ll need a spray bottle full of soapy water.
- To start, safely remove the tire from the vehicle
- Apply the soapy water liberally across the tread of the tire
- Then, look for a place on the tire where the soap starts to bubble. Voila, you’ve found your leak!
- Make sure to coat the entire tire with soapy water to ensure you don’t have multiple leaks
You should also spray soapy water around the tire nozzle and where the tire meets the wheel. These are also common places where leaks occur. Note that these types of leaks cannot be fixed with a tire plug. Furthermore, if the leak is on the sidewall or the shoulder of the tire, you must replace the entire tire.
2. Prep Work
Before removing the screw or nail in your tire, you should get your tire plug kit ready. To do this, flatten one end of the plug and slide it halfway through the slot in the plug pusher. You may also want to wear eye protection, as when you pull the screw or nail out, moisture and debris at pressure can spray back at you.
3. Remove the Nail or Screw
If you have a nail in the tire tread, remove it using a pair of pliers. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to pull the nail up before removal.
If you have a screw stuck in your tire, start by pulling it out with a flathead screwdriver. Once you’ve pulled it out, use a pair of pliers to unscrew it, just as you would if you were removing a screw from any other surface.
4. Ream the Hole
Now that the screw is removed, you’ll start to hear air leaking from the tire. The next step is to take the reamer to remove any loose rubber within the tire. A reamer is a serrated tool similar to a file with a T-bar or grip at the top to provide leverage.
Insert this into the hole and push and pull it back and forth to clean the hole and ensure it’s uniform. This will create a smooth surface inside the hole that will prevent extra leaks and allow the plug to seal the hole.
5. Insert the Plug
Before you remove the reamer, make sure to have the plug pusher nearby. Then, remove the reamer and shove the plug pusher into the hole. Keep pushing until you have about ¼ inch of the plug remaining outside the tire. Once you have the plug in position, pull firmly on the plug pusher to remove it.
6. Remove the Excess Plug
Let the excess length of the plug remain in the hole for about 10 minutes or until it dries. To remove the portion of the plug, use a pair of wire cutters. To get the plug flush with the tire, carefully use a razor blade to cut away the rest.
Optional: you may also carefully use a blowtorch to heat the end of the plug and rubber surrounding it to permanently fuse them together.
7. Remount the Wheel
Before remounting the tire, spray the affected area with soapy water yet again to ensure you don’t have any leaks. Refill the tire with air. Then, put the tire on the wheel hub, hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench or tire iron.
Tire Plugging Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Success
Although plugging a tire is relatively straightforward, certain tips and tricks will set you up for success. Here are a few of those hacks to make your life just a little bit easier.
Soapy Water
As mentioned above, soapy water is the most effective way to find the leak in your tire. Just spray the tire with the water and look for bubbles to locate the leak.
You Don’t Have to Remove the Wheel
If you’re apprehensive about removing the tire or have never changed a flat, remember that you don’t have to remove the tire if it’s unnecessary. However, you’ll probably need a second person to slowly roll the vehicle forward while you inspect the tire. Again, you can look for a nail or screw or apply soapy water to help you.
The Rubber Cement Trick
Although it’s not 100% necessary, adding rubber cement to the plug is a handy tip. Not only does this create an extra seal around the plug, but it also lubes the plug for easier entry into the puncture.
To use rubber cement, apply it evenly across the plug while it’s threaded through the plug pusher. After you push the plug in, you can also add some extra rubber cement around the hole for added sealing.
Don’t Stress About a Flat Tire When a Quick Plug Will Do the Job
If you have a flat tire or a puncture, your first reaction will almost certainly be annoyance or dread. But with a trusty tire plug kit in your trunk, you can turn a nuisance into a quick fix. So don’t stress. This kit that only costs a few bucks will make your life as a vehicle owner that much easier.
People Also Ask
Now that you have all the knowledge, tips, and hacks you need to plug a tire, you should feel confident about the repair. But if it’s your first time, you may be apprehensive. So if you need some additional information, here are some common questions people also ask.
What is the Average Time to Plug a Tire?
Plugging a tire is one of the easiest bits of maintenance you can do on your vehicle. As a result, you should only expect about 15 to 30 minutes to plug your tire correctly and without any issues.
How Hard Is It to Plug a Tire?
Most tire plug kits come with detailed instructions, so even if it’s your first time, you shouldn’t have too many issues. Just make sure to have the proper tools to ensure you complete the job correctly.
How Long Can You Drive on a Tire With a Plug In It?
According to some tire plug manufacturers, you can expect to drive up to 5,000 miles on a tire plug without any issues. However, the risk of another tire puncture may increase on a tire with a plug. Besides, the chance of the plug failing increases exponentially over time.
Therefore, you shouldn’t plug a tire just so you don’t have to buy a new one. If you have the budget, consider replacing the tire as soon as possible, as this is only a quick fix until you can get to the tire shop.
How Easy Is It To Plug a Tire?
If you have the right tools and a reputable, well-rated kit, plugging a tire is a simple procedure that even a beginner DIY mechanic can undertake without any problems.
Can a Plugged Tire Blowout?
A properly plugged tire shouldn’t cause a blowout. However, those that don’t feel confident in their repair work should drive to a tire shop immediately to ensure the tire doesn’t blow out.
Photo credit: 4wheelparts.com
How Safe is Plugging a Tire?
Plugging a tire is a safe repair in some circumstances. But if the tire has significant damage to the tread or the puncture is too large, plugging the tire may not work. Thus, you’ll need to assess the damage and read the packaging on the kit to make sure a plug is a right move.
Is Plugging a Tire a Permanent Fix?
Although a properly plugged tire may take you a few thousand miles for small punctures, no – it isn’t a permanent fix. This is because a plug doesn’t permanently seal the inner liner of the tire. If the inner liner isn’t sealed, you risk a blowout, especially at higher speeds or if you hit debris or a pothole.
When Should You Not Plug a Tire?
If the puncture is on the sidewall or the shoulder of the tire, chances are you won’t be able to repair it with a tire plug. Also, if the tire has multiple punctures that are closer than 16 inches together, a plug won’t work. Finally, you should never use a tire plug to repair a puncture that’s wider than a quarter-inch in diameter.
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