Roads with different surfaces are always fun, but a flat tyre will make you frown even more than the flat tyre. No one wants to get rid of a tyre that still has a good thread, so you may be wondering if you can plug it or if that will ruin it.

A tyre plug won’t ruin a tyre, but it’s not meant to be a permanent fix. They should only be used temporarily to buy time for a real repair to be done.

Want to know when and how to use a tyre plug in the best way? Then you should keep reading!

Plugging Tires: Know your circumstances.

Plugging a hole in a tyre is a quick and easy way to fix it right away. As soon as a hole is made in a tyre, the air slowly leaks out, causing the tyre to go flat.

But it’s important to look at the type of tyre and the damage before deciding to fix it.

Depending on how bad the damage is and where the hole is, the tyre can either be fixed, sealed, or replaced. In this kind of situation, you need the help of an expert.

Plugging is the process of fixing a flat tyre by putting a plug in the hole to stop the leak. With the help of a vulcanizing fluid, a sticky, expandable object is pushed into the hole in the tyre.

Even though plugging your tyres is a quick and cheap fix, there are times when you can’t do it.

Are you using a tubeless or an RFT?

When a run-flat tyre goes flat, it’s not a good idea to plug it like you would with a tubeless tyre. Instead, you might be able to seal the inner walls with silicon sealant.

The process is more expensive than plugging, but it may be the only thing that can be done besides getting a new tyre.

You can put 8–10 mm of silicone sealant from above or on the inside of a flat RFT tyre that has been punctured. But if the tyre gets damaged again, it needs to be changed.

When compared to RFT, tubeless tyres are easier to plug and last longer. The problem is figuring out where the leak is and how big it is.

Identify the nature of your puncture before you plug it in

It’s important to know that not every leak can be fixed safely. The crown, or middle part of the tyre, and the inside walls are both lined with steel. This part of the tyre makes direct contact with the road and gives the tyre its strength.

Once the plug is in place, the inner steel lining sticks to it with the help of the vulcanizing fluid.

The sidewalls of the tyre are made of rubber and do not have any threads. They are not lined with metal. Some small damage here can make the tyre more likely to blow out.

Once the sidewall is damaged, you will have to replace the tyre because it is hard to fix this part. This area can’t be plugged, so it will probably go flat again in a short time.

A plug can be used to fix a hole that happens anywhere in the middle of the tyre. The largest hole that can be fixed is 0.25 inches or 6 mm in diameter. If the hole is bigger than this, you might need a silicone sealant or a new tyre.

At least 45 degrees or more should be the angle of the hole. It will make sure that the plug is in a stronger place, which will help the tyre last longer. Any damage to the tire’s non-steel layer (the layer with no threads) means that it must be replaced.

What are some take-home points to improve the life of a plugged tire?

A plugged tyre is more likely to get damaged, so it will wear out faster. Here are some quick ways to make a plugged tyre last longer. Have you ever thought about using a patch-plug?

The patch plug is thought to be the safest way to fix the hole because it uses both the sealant from the inside and the plug from the outside. It lowers the chance that the tyre will fail and makes it safer to use. It’s better than getting a new tyre because it adds an extra layer of safety to the repair.

You might want to only drive on highways with a plugged tyre and stay away from rough terrain. If you get a second flat at the same spot, you’ll probably have to buy a new tyre. Choose a patch plug that makes your tyre safer to use in this case.

Don’t drive fast when a tyre has been fixed. Because there is more friction in the area, the heat goes up when the speed goes up. This heat makes the rubber in the tyre expand, which can cause the plug to fall out of place.

A smart trick is to move the damaged tyre to the outside of the back wheel. Potholes and other things on the road are more likely to hit the front and inside parts. It makes the vehicle safer and the tyre last longer because it is less likely to be put under more stress in this position.

When the size or location of the damage doesn’t work well with plugging, they are only short-term fixes. The tool used to put the plug in can damage the tire’s steel cords and weaken its structure. Safety is always more important than anything else.

It’s safe to plug the tyres, depending on the type of tyre, where and how bad the damage is, and how you drive. Look out for roadside assistance and let the experts handle what’s best for your safety.

Bottom line

Depending on how much you drive, a tyre with a plug can last for a long time.

So, like any other part of your car, you should take care of your plugged tyre if you want it to last longer.