Tire Plugs and String Repairs are Temporary Repairs Emergency roadside plug repairs are NOT intended to be a permanent tire repair. Plugs and string repairs are designed to get you back up and rolling long enough to get home or to the nearest service center to perform a proper tire repair.
When a vehicle is repaired correctly and maintained, a plug's life span can last up to 7-10 years. It is an unbelievable number for a wheel that has been repairable. However, manufacturers advise users not to overdo patching like this in practice.
Tire plugs are typically made of rubber or latex and are inserted into the tire to fill the hole. Tire plugs are a quick and easy fix, and they can be done without even taking the tire off of the car. However, tire plugs are not a permanent fix, and they may not be as effective in sealing larger holes.
USTMA Tire Repair Basics
Repairs cannot overlap. A rubber stem, or plug, must be applied to fill the puncture injury and a patch must be applied to seal the inner liner. A common repair unit is a one-piece combination unit with a stem and patch.
Over time, by the state of corrosion that will weaken the steel wheel belt, the rubber tires bonded to increase impact. Another risk when repairing a puncture with a plug is damage to the inner wheel body. You can't tell what damage is there with the naked eye.
Tire patches are more durable than a plug in most cases. They're less convenient and don't work well in an emergency situation, like if you're stuck at the roadside with a flat.
Plugs, when installed correctly and in the right situations, can help a tire last for up to 25,000 additional miles. But while plugs can be effective, usually patches are considered to be the better, more secure option of the two. The patch/plug combo is the safest and most reliable option.
If your tire is losing very little air as a result of the nail puncture, you may be able to drive for a hundred miles or more! If it is losing air fast, you might want to drive to your local mechanic as soon as possible. In either case, it's important to be proactive to prevent further damage.
Plugging and patching are not long-term solutions. Tire plugs are useful for emergency cases, but they should not be overused. When deciding how many plugs can you put in a tire, two or three should be the maximum.
The plug can become dislodged from the tire, resulting in excessive air pressure loss and a potential blowout. This can be extremely dangerous, especially when going at high speeds.
Using a tire plug to repair a puncture is a quick solution in all situations. But this is not a long-term or permanent solution because the sealed plug cord also has a shelf life; the main effect is only to temporarily fix the hole and prevent air from leaking out.
It's much easier than you think. With the right tools and products, just about anybody can do it in a few minutes. You will need a tire plug kit that consists of a few simple tools and the tire plugs themselves. Tire plugs are thick rubbery, and very sticky strips that will plug up the hole and stay in place.
A tire puncture greater than 1/4 inch (or 6mm) cannot be repaired. A new tire replacement is needed if a puncture exceeds this limit. Large tread punctures, irregular gashes or cuts exceeding 1/4 inch cannot be repaired.
If you're looking into having a puncture repaired on a tire, you're looking at spending on average between $10 to $20 dollars. The size of the puncture makes a huge difference and will determine the amount you will spend on getting your tire repaired.
We learned more about the topic from Margarette Stine, automotive expert for 4 Wheel Online, an online retailer of tires, towing accessories, and various other automotive equipment. Yes, you can drive with a nail in your tire as long as the tire isn't flat.
Punctured tires will likely need to be replaced if: The puncture is more than a ¼ inch in diameter. There's a puncture in the sidewall or shoulder of the tire. You have multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart.
With Very slow leaks, you can drive safely until pressure gets an excessive of approx. 20% low, upon which at that point vehicle's performance suffers and heat built up becomes excessive. It is not possible to give you mileage or time because too many variables. Is it safe to drive with mismatched tires?
There's a chance that the nail has caused a leak in the tire, allowing air to escape. If you're driving at speed with a tire down on air pressure, that tire could suffer a blowout, causing it to explode and causing you to lose control of the car. On the highway, that could lead to a dangerous crash.
But it does mean something is wrong and if you don't get it repaired in time, your tire could blow out or ruin completely. Don't take a chance driving on the road with a nail in your tire. Follow these steps instead to get you back behind the wheel safe, sound and fast.
You can drive short distances with a nail in your tire but you should not just leave it there and continue to drive for a long period of time. It is very unsafe for not only you but the other drivers you share the road with as well.
You're Better Off Replacing The Tire
In the event of a flat tire from a nail or screw, the best course of action is always to replace the tire. A plug or patch for your tire may help tide you over until you can have it replaced, but it's important to remember that a plug is meant to be a temporary fix.
Plugging a tire will void your tire manufacturer's warranty. 2. A tire patch by itself is not a good repair because it doesn't fill the hole left by the nail or screw.