It isn't safe and could lead to a dangerous blowout. A plug by itself, or a patch by itself, is not acceptable. But a safer tire repair, done to the RMA standards, can give you thousands of miles more use from your tire. Need your tire repaired by an expert?
According to many studies, 8 miles is a safe distance to drive on a plugged tire. Plugging is not a long-term fix; it just keeps the wheel moving for the time it takes to find a service center.
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.
However, there are some drawbacks to tire plugs as well. One is that they don't always provide a permanent fix; the plug could come out over time, which would leave you with another flat tire. Additionally, air can still leak around the edges of the plug, so it may not hold pressure as well as a patch.
What causes tire blowouts? According to Tire Rack, many blowouts are caused by underinflated tires. When the air pressure in a tire is too low, the tire may flex beyond its limits, overheats and cause the rubber to lose its bond to the tire's internal fabric and steel cord reinforcement.
Tire blowouts are caused by several factors including lack of proper tire inflation, overloading, excessively worn tread or damaged tread due to neglect and warmer temperature.
Rear-tire blowouts are usually more disruptive and dangerous than front-tire blowouts, as drivers have no control over the rear end of the vehicle. Front-tire blowouts are still dangerous but generally easier to manage, as you should be able to steer to counteract the force of the blowout.
It isn't safe and could lead to a dangerous blowout. A plug by itself, or a patch by itself, is not acceptable. But a safer tire repair, done to the RMA standards, can give you thousands of miles more use from your tire. Need your tire repaired by an expert?
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.
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. Tire patches are great when: You have the time and equipment to do the job.
Tire plugs may cause air to become trapped between the layers of the tire tread, eventually causing the tire tread to separate. Tire plugs can wear down over time and air or water leaks can reoccur. Tire plugs on their own do not completely seal off the inner liner from air or water entering the tire.
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. Otherwise, the vehicle's safety is at stake. Remember to keep a plug kit with you in case someone uses a tire slasher tool on your car.
Therefore, most tire manufacturers have established policies that a punctured and repaired tire no longer retains its speed rating and should be treated as a non-speed rated tire driven no faster than 85 mph.
You may trim away the excess plug or leave it to wear away as you drive. Push the tire plug into the hole. Don't twist the plug as you push it in, just go straight down and stop when there is about a 1/2-inch exposed. This is what you should see when the tire plug is installed.
If your tire is not repaired correctly and completely, you may be at risk of air leaking out from the puncture site as you are driving. Over time, this causes your tire to become deflated, and this increases the risk that you will skid or lose control of your vehicle.
Don't twist the plug as you push it in, just go straight down and stop when there is about a ½ inch exposed. Remove the tool by twisting it 90 degrees, and trim the plug with wire cutters. Inflate the tire with an air compressor. Use the tire pressure gauge to ensure the correct air pressure.
So if the diameter of the damaged area is larger than 6mm, a repair should not be attempted. This means it may be possible to repair a tyre that has been pierced by a nail or a screw, but if the damage is caused by a larger item such as a bolt or other metallic debris, the tyre may need to be replaced.
The standard tire is inflated to about 30 to 35 pounds per square inch. Under hot weather and highway conditions, the temperature of the air inside the tire rises about 50 degrees. That increases the pressure inside the tire about 5 psi. The burst pressure of a tire is about 200 psi.
The sidewall is the most fragile part of the tire. Compared to the tread, the sidewall is not only thinner, but also has insufficient steel wire to adhere, so it is more fragile.
Look for cracks or cuts in the sidewall — grooves that are distinct enough to be visible to the naked eye. This could be a sign that your tire is developing a leak, or worse, that it's ready to blow out. When you see these signs get, that car in to get the tire or tires replaced!
How Common Are Tire Blowouts? Some of the most recent data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that tire failures result in an estimated 11,000 crashes and 200 fatalities annually here in the U.S.
What Does a Tire Blowout Feel Like? If a front tire burst, you should feel the force mostly within the steering of your vehicle. With a rear tire, you should feel it more in the seat or body of the car. Whether the blowout occurred in the front or back, your response should be the same.