Updated on Nov. 25, 2024
Got a flat tire? If a small puncture is the culprit, there's a good chance you can fix it yourself. Learn how to plug a tire and get back on the road.
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Modern vehicle tires are tough, standing up well to rough terrain and thousands of miles of driving. Trouble is, tires are not invincible. Every so often car tires spring leaks. Air can start leaking from anywhere on a tire, and the location of the leak determines whether or not you can fix it yourself. And if you can't fix it yourself, the location of the leak will also tell you if you need a professional repair or a new tire.
Whether or not your tire is tubed or tubeless affects things, too, because only tubeless tires can be repaired using the technique of plugging that we'll show you here. The good news is that modern vehicles always have tubeless tires, and this means that repairing with a rubber plug is often an option.
Plugging a tubeless tire is only a possibility when your puncture is in the tread area. If the air leak is where the sidewall of the tire meets the rim — this is called a "bead leak" — you'll need to visit a mechanic with a tire machine to dismount the tire from the rim and remount it with sealing liquid applied to the bead. If your sidewall has been punctured, you need a new tire, because damage there can lead to a blowout at highway speeds, even after repair.
Learn exactly how to plug a tire so next time you spring a leak between your treads, you'll be able to get up and running again in record time.
Total time completing the repair is about 15 minutes. Doing the work yourself will save you about $20 and the time spent driving to the garage and waiting.
Sometimes it’s obvious where a leak is, but often it isn’t. In that case, start by checking to see f the valve stem is damaged and screwed in tightly. Next, try checking around the tread or sidewalls for any puncturing objects, noticeable holes or bulges.
“You may also be able to hear a hissing sound coming from the damaged part of the tire, so listen closely,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “If visual or auditory inspection doesn’t yield any findings, you can try the old water-and-soap-trick.”
“Personally, I use a drill bit and drill,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an auto expert with JustAnswer.com. Also, “You should not plug a hole in the sidewall; it’s not safe. The rule of thumb is also not to plug a hole within 1 inch of where the tread ends before the sidewall starts. In a pinch, it is okay, but drive slow and expect to replace the tire within the week.”
It can, but it’s safest to assume that it won’t. “Patching or plugging a hole in your tire is meant to be more of a temporary fix than a long-term solution,” says Watson. “Take advantage of the extended time a patch has given you to go purchase a new tire or visit your local repair shop for a replacement, but don’t push the tire beyond the duration of that journey.”
