Is Plugging A Tire Safe? Is It Better To Plug A Tire Or Patch It?

A punctured tire while in traffic is an annoying thing. Each case will have different treatment methods. However, users choose the technique of plugging or patching that is the most popular because it helps to completely overcome the situation of a punctured tire quickly and saves money.

So, is plugging a tire safe? This measure is only a temporary fix, and it will not be safe on a long road. But, it’s possible for you to try to stay on the short one.

Scroll down, and learn more about this topic in the article below.

Is Plugging A Tire Safe?

The tire plug method has been confirmed by experts to be effective. 

The working principle is to use a specialized wire to seal the vent hole. The particular substances in the cord are solid, and they can automatically contract or expand very quickly, a way that helps to adapt to any shape of the hole.

However, this fix is ​​not recommended by many people. Why?

Manufacturers only recommend using the plug cord as a temporary solution despite the miraculous effect before taking long-term repair measures. The reason comes from the objectivity of the items; they have shown that many potential dangers surround the problem.

Specifically, environmental influences such as air and moisture will penetrate the body to degrade and destroy the wheel structure, causing dangers.

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.

But you absolutely should not confuse effectiveness with risk. It is pretty safe for you to use a plug to repair a punctured tire if you are moving the vehicle for a short distance. Consequences and risks are situations that occur in the future.

What To Do When You Have A Flat Tire?

There are many definite causes of tire damage, including hitting sharp objects, worn tires. If you maintain the condition above the pressure, it may cause the tire to fail. If the vehicle cannot be repairable immediately, use the measures:

Tire plug

It will be pretty convenient if you have experience in the profession. The process is quite simple:

• Step 1: Determine the area where the puncture occurs
• Step 2: Use pliers or another tool to remove the sharp object from the wheel’s surface, wipe around the wound to ensure cleanliness.
• Step 3: Remove the faulty air valve to deflate, making it easier for the wheel to accept the plug wire. Be careful because the air valve is quite fragile.
• Step 4: Use the reamer to handle the wound better; this step is quite essential and laborious because it will determine whether the plug wire fits the wound mouth or not.
• Step 5: Prepare the plug wire and installation tools. Thread the cord through the pliers. If liquid cement is available, spread a thin layer over the entire plug.
• Step 6: Push the plug wire into the hole until the total gas enters ⅔. Rotate the pliers 90 degrees and pull them out. Cut off the excess cord if it is too long; wait about 5 minutes for it to dry completely and complete.

For detailed guides, check out this video below:

It is a temporary solution. If you want to use it for a long time, regularly check the quality of the tires to control the condition the wheel is having. 

Replace your tires

The second way to repair a wheel is to get a new one. It is a great solution, ensuring the safest for you. Although the money you have to spend is quite expensive, it comes with a guarantee of the features of a wide tire, minimizing the risks you are facing.

Is Plugging A Tire A Permanent Fix?

No, we’ve emphasized quite a few times that a plug is only a temporary solution before you can change the wheel or have a more permanent fix. 

It would help if you understood that the vent plug is designed for temporary use only, as it tends to leak over time, releasing the air through the hole when traveling at high speeds. 

Besides, the plug wire can be soaked in water, rusting and damaging the entire wheel structure.

When Should You Not Plug A Tire?

The cases in which you should not plug the models are as follows:

• Do not insert the products when the hole opening exceeds an inch
• When the wound appears on the sidewall of the shoulder and the shoulder of the models
• There are too many wounds near each other
• when tire wear exceeds 2/32 inch
• Wounds are located directly on top of each other

Is It Better To Plug A Tire Or Patch It?

Patches are often more effective than plugs, at least in timing. 

A plugged-in model is only safe to travel for 8 miles so that you can move the car farther, longer with the patch repair option. 

Patches are usually less affected by the environment, so the life of a punctured one when patched can be up to 7-10 years with careful maintenance.

How Long Do You Wait After Plugging In The Model?

You need to wait more than 5 minutes. When the adhesives are completely dry, the plug is firmly fixed at the mouth of the hole to ensure that water and moisture cannot penetrate so that you can drive with peace of mind.

Conclusion

In this article, we have presented the knowledge related to car repair with the tire plug method. We hope to help you when encountering this situation.

Thank you, and see you in our next update!