It happens to everyone: you’re driving along your usual routes, and your tyre gets a hole that lets air out.

If you know how to fix tyres, you might be tempted to do it yourself, but you might also just want a tyre service to take care of it. In either case, you might think that fixing the tyre with a plug could make the warranty invalid.

Many tyre manufacturers will not void the warranty if a patch and plug are used to fix a tyre in the right way by a professional. Every tyre company has its own warranty, so you’ll need to look at the one that applies to your brand.

Even though I can’t tell you exactly how long the warranty on your car’s tyres is, I can tell you more about tyre warranties in general, how to plug a tyre, and other things that should help you save money.

Plugging a Tire

Plugs are things you can put in a tyre that is leaking to stop it from leaking. Usually, it’s a piece of leather covered with a rubber-like substance. When you put air in the tyre, you have to move the plug so that air doesn’t leak out.

When you run over a nail, screw, or other small sharp object, you may need to plug a tyre. The hole must be small and in the tread, not on the sidewall. If not, you won’t be able to fix your tyre with a tyre plug.

You can buy a plug online and use it to fix a flat tyre by yourself. But this shouldn’t be where the story ends. Plugs should only be used to stop a tyre leak for a short time.

Most sources say that a plug will void the warranty, especially if you install it yourself. But many people will also say that your warranty might not be void if a professional puts in the plug.

To be sure, you will have to read the warranty for your particular tyres. This is the only way to tell if the covers are still on your tyres.

Some of the most popular tyre companies’ warranty sites are linked below to save you time.

Bridgestone

Firestone

Goodyear

Cooper

Michelin

Continental

Nitto

Pirelli

If you still can’t figure it out, you could also try calling the shop where your tyres were put on. They should be able to help you out in most situations.

Tire warranties don’t have a good reputation for being customer-friendly, though. Let’s talk about what a tyre warranty is and how it works.

Tire Warranties

A company that makes tyres can offer different kinds of warranties on them. They are hard to cash in, though, if you need the money.

Most tyre warranties only cover mistakes in the way the tyres were made or problems with the materials. Most of the time, the tyre maker won’t cover wear and tear that happens over time.

Some tyres come with extra warranties that make them a better choice to buy. Even if you can’t find a tyre with the warranty you need, a tyre service centre (like Discount Tire) will sometimes add their own guarantees with service certificates.

Let’s talk more about the things that tyre warranties cover.

#1 Workmanship and Materials Warranty

This kind of warranty should come with all tyres. All it means is that if your tyres are broken, you can get your money back or get a new set.

The tyres are covered by this warranty for the first 2/32″ of their tread life.

#2 Tire Tread Warranty

When you buy tyres with a tread warranty, the company promises that the tread will last for a certain number of miles or years.

Most tyres have a treadwear indicator right on the tyre, but only a professional can tell for sure if your tyres are worn out or not.

#3 Promotional Warranty Period

Some tyre companies give you a limited amount of time to try out the tyres before you buy them. This is another way they try to sell their tyres. Most of the time, this time period is 30 days.

During this time, if you don’t like the tyres, you can return them and not have to pay for them.

The Downsides of Plugging Tires

There are other reasons why you might not want to plug your car’s tyres when you notice a leak, besides the fact that you might void the warranty.

Plugging a tyre should only be done in an emergency or if the plug is only going to be there for a short time. It’s not a good idea to drive with just one flat tyre. That’s because a plug doesn’t seal the inside of the tyre well, so it’s not a good way to fix it.

Tip: You can also read my full article about how long you can drive with a plugged tyre right here.

Also, just putting a patch on a tyre as a long-term fix is not a good idea. A patch can let water get into the tyre, which can lead to rust and other problems.

When a patch and a plug are used on the same leak, it is the best repair that you can do yourself. If not, take it to a tyre professional, who will probably install a 1-piece repair unit that will last much longer and may not void your tyre warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do I Properly Take Care of My Tires?

Keep your tyres inflated to the PSI that’s recommended for them, rotate them every 5,000–6,000 miles, and keep an eye on them for wear or misalignment. To keep your tyres in the best shape, you should take care of these things as soon as possible.

Is It Legal to Repair a Tire With a Plug?

Yes, you can use a plug to fix a flat tyre in the United States. There are no rules about fixing tyres right now. It may be legal, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea. If your tyres are leaking, have a professional fix them so they last as long as possible.

Is It Better to Patch or Plug a Tire?

A tyre should be both patched and plugged. Either of these methods on its own is not a good way to fix a flat tyre. Also, you can only use these ways to fix a tyre once. You shouldn’t fix more than one hole in a tyre at a time.

Conclusion

When you can’t get to a shop right away, plugging a tyre can be a quick and easy way to fix a leaky tyre.

If you want to keep the warranty on your tyres, you may want to think of another way to fix the problem, since plugging a tyre is likely to void the warranty.