SEO Title: “How To Plug A Tire”

Meta Description: Knowing how to plug a flat tire yourself using a plug kit is very important in
emergencies, it's simple and does the job for you for a good amount of time till you get the tire
fully repaired.

How To Plug A Tire:

Want to know a quick and easy way to fix your flat tire for a short amount of time before getting
it fully repaired? Then you should keep reading to find out how to plug a tire yourself because
it’s super easy once you get the hang of it. Getting a flat tire is very unpleasant on its own and if
your car doesn’t contain a spare tire, then it is going to be a hard time for you. In a situation like
this, knowing how to plug your flat tire using the right equipment is very essential. There are two
ways to repair a flat tire but we will be shedding more light on the tire-plugging method in this
article.
The First way is to plug a tire using a tire plug kit. If done correctly, the tire can be used for up to
25,000 miles more and it can last a week, months, or even years, this, of course, depends on how
well the process is done and the size of the hole that’s being plugged. The plug should be tight
and the puncture hole shouldn’t be too large for it to fit tightly. Plugging a tire can be better
when:
 You can make it to the tire shop soon for a long-lasting fix.
 It's for a wheelbarrow, off-road vehicle, or another kind of tubeless tire.
 The tread area has the puncture.
 The gap is narrower than 1/8".
 You intend to replace your tires soon.

The second way is to use a rubber patch to patch up the puncture hole. In some cases, tire patches
are more resilient than plugs, but they can also be less practical and ineffective in an emergency,
such as when you're stranded by the side of the road with a flat tire. Tire patches work well when:
 You have the necessary tools and time to finish the job.
 The flat tread area has a puncture.
 It won't overlap with any other holes or repairs.
 The tire won't be kept on your car indefinitely.
 It is less than a quarter of an inch wide.
 The vehicle type is off-road.
A tire patch may remain in place permanently or it may suddenly come off. There is no guarantee
of its durability with just one thin layer of leak protection. Either way, a tire plug or patch won't
hold up for long, so you shouldn't rely on them as a permanent solution. Instead, If the hole is in
an authorized area, opt to install a tire plug-patch combination as a long-lasting solution.

What’s A Tire Plug Kit And How To Use It:

A Tire Plug Kit is a quick and simple repair tool kit that does exactly what its name implies: they
seal the tire's hole. The plugs are tacky and flexible rubber strings that are used to plug up the
small puncture holes in your tire. A tool for inserting the plug itself is included in the kit, as well
as a reamer tool with raspy edges for cleaning and roughening up the hole before inserting the
plug.
If a tire is showing signs of low pressure after you just ran over a nail in the road, either visually
or through the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS). A small, affordable tire plug kit can make
the difference between driving and walking in these situations. We advise purchasing an off-road
tire-specific kit because it will include a sizable T-handle reamer and insertion tool, lots of plugs,
and extras like needle-nose pliers and spare valve stems.
But, to repair or plug a tire, you don't just need a tire plug kit, you also need:
 Chalk or a marker.
 A tire inflator.
 A car jack.
 A tire wrench.
 Pliers and side cutters.

Steps To Plug A Tire:

A tire plug will work for any urgent or short-term repairs that you need to make. First of all, the
key is to remain calm and follow the below steps carefully, safely, and efficiently. Follow these
steps to plug a tire successfully:

 Locate the leak/puncture:

You can do this by either removing the tire or just locating the leak while the tire is on.
Punctures can occasionally be seen as a screw in the middle of the tread. Other times,
despite a thorough examination, you won't know where it is leaking from. Inflate the tire,
then spray it with soapy water to locate the leak's source. The leak will start to blow
bubbles in the thick liquid, showing you exactly where the issue is. Mark the spot with
chalk or any other thing that stands out on the rubber.
  Ream the leaking hole:
The puncture should be widened by inserting and removing the reaming tool several
times. By doing so, the hole is cleared of any debris, its surface is made rougher to
encourage adhesion, and it is made wide enough to accommodate the tire plug.

 Inset a plug inside the probe:

With about half of the plug protruding from each side, take one of the tacky and flexible
plugs out of the kit and place it inside the probe's eyelet.

 Forcefully push the probe into the tire:

When only a third of the plug is visible outside, firmly insert the probe into the tire's hole.
After that, quickly pull it out while keeping the plug in the tire.

 Trim the excess plug remaining out:

A great way for the plug to be pulled out would be to leave the tag ends on it. So make
sure to trim away any extra material parallel to the tread of the tires.

 Fill the tire with air and check again for any more leaks:
Inflate the tire to the proper pressure and then spray it down with soapy water once more
using the pressure listed on the placard on the driver's door.

 If you removed the tire then install it back again:

With your tire wrench, reinstall the wheel onto the hub and tighten it. Retighten the wheel
after lowering the jack.

How Much Does It Cost To Plug A Tire:

The price for a tire plugger kit is reasonable. While it’s a bit more expensive than the rubber
patching method. It comes with the necessary tools in it and it also comes with enough plugs for a
handful of repairs too. A tire plug kit is available at a price range of 10 to 35 dollars differing in
quality, you can check its pricing out yourself online. While the other equipment such as a car
jack or tire inflator can be found at your local automotive equipment stores. All of it can be
pricey but remember that all of the stuff required isn’t just for one-time use, it can last many
years if kept well.

Conclusion:
Even though plugging a tire is a great way to fix your problem for the time being but it isn’t
recommended by professionals for long-term use. One thing to keep in mind is to never plug a
tire when the puncture is on the sidewall because too much flexing occurs while driving. You can
use it for a good amount of time but just get it fully repaired when you can. If it’s done cleanly
and efficiently, it can be a lifesaver for you when you get in a situation where you have a flat tire
on the road.