Tires are one of the most troublesome problems of the car after that kid who draws dick and balls on car windows. Unlike other significant parts of the vehicle, like the engine, axles, paints, and sensors, tires are the ones that usually require continuous maintenance and are still destroyed after 2 to 3 years.
A flat or punctured tire is an example of a disturbing situation with tires, especially in the middle of the journey. Even a spare tire is not a proper fix, as it is weak and can’t run for longer routes.
In these cases, a tire plug kit comes in handy. The only solution to a leak hole is to fill a hole. It won’t work if you keep on inflating the tire unless you fix the puncture.
A tire plug is a quick and easy fix that does not require much investment, requires a maximum of 5 minutes, and so little to store. Tire plug and patch are one of the best options for fixing a tire for a longer period.
You may ask, if it is so easy, then why don’t many people do it by themselves rather than going to a repair shop? The answer to this is a need for more awareness, modern life, and an abundance of tire specialists at affordable rates.
Sometimes, drivers think it is a hard process, and they don’t try it. That is why in this article, we will explain everything about tire plug kits, their uses, and the process of using them, and answer some common questions about tire plug kits.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How Tire Plug Kit Works
The concept of a plug kit is simple, it comes with plugs, a plier, an awl, and an eye-shaped installer tool. The plug has adhesive glue on it and is made from cork materials, which are durable and seal the hole.
The pliers help in taking out the nails and screws from a tire, then an awl tool is utilized to make across tire belts, and an eye tool inserts the plug into the tire holes.
Remember that the tire plug kit is only utilized on the tread area of the tire; it is not applicable on sidewalls. This is why sidewall damages are unfixable and require tire replacement.
Process Of Using Tire Plug Kit
A puncture on a tire
First of all, identify the hole or leak on a tire. Use soap-water to find the leaking point. If there is a nail, screw, or any other material, that damaged the tire is there, take it out and mark that point with chowk or something.
Clear Path Across Tire
Once the nail is out, take an awl tool or any other sharp, pointy tool to make it across tires, belts, and layers. The purpose of this method is to make a cross-through pass between the outer tire and internal tire layers. It will require force to make a path; once it’s done, take in and out several times to create a clear passage.
Tire Plug Kit Tool
Now take an eye-shaped tool that comes with a kit and add a plug between the eye of the tool. Fix the plug in between the eye, apply cement or adhesive that comes with a kit, and put it into the hole.
Insertion Into The Tire
Push the tool inside the tire till a small part of a plug can be seen from outside, pause for a few seconds, and then pull out the tool with force. Once the plug is properly sealed the hole, cut the extra plug and check if the air is not leaking anymore. Then inflate the tire and it’s done.
Benefits Of Using Tire Plug Kit
Permanent long-term fix
Tire plugs may seem small and easy fix, but it is one of the most effective and permanent fixes for a flat tire. Unlike liquid flat repairs, these plugs don’t damage the tire, are safe to drive, and stay till the ending date of a tire.
Cost and time-effective
The tire plug kit costs around $6 to $10, which commonly comes with 5 plugs. So, in 10 bucks, you can repair 5 punctures of a tire, which will cost you around $50-$100 if you go to a repair shop. With that, its efficient installation saves the time and energy of a driver.
No complexity in using
Simplicity in using a tire plug kit makes it worldwide adaptable; anybody with zero experience can do it. Unlike patch repairs that require a dismounting tire, the plugs are the easiest to use, time-saving, and safe option to fix a flat tire.
Disadvantages Of Using Tire Plug Kit
No sidewall fixes
A tire plug is only effective against tread puncture and holes; it can not fix a slash or hole on a sidewall. The layers of the tire sidewall are thinner and different from the tread layers, which is why the plug can not stick into it, and if it stays, the leak will continue.
Changes tread pattern
Multiple tires plus can change the tread pattern of a tire, and block the channels for water and snow clearance. One might not impact that much, but multiple tire plugs can ruin the performance of your premium tire.
Noise and vibration
Similarly, one tire plug won’t make a big difference, but more than 8 to 10 plugs on multiple areas of the tread can create noise on every revolution, and increase vibration as well. That is why if the tire is getting punctured more often, think about replacing the tire with branded tires.
FAQs
How long Does the Tire Plug Kit Last? Is it permanent?
It is unlikely to see the plug fail for years. The estimated life of plugs is 25000 miles or 5 years. But in most cases, plugs are a permanent solution and don’t require any maintenance or replacements.
Is Tire Plug More Durable Than Patch
Internally patched tires are more durable than tire plugs; the difference is not much, but overall, internal patches are safer, more durable, and don’t interfere with the tread pattern.
What Other Tools Are Needed With the Kit
There is no need for tools other than the tire plug kit; everything comes with a kit. However, there might be one or two tools missing more likely pliers, so buy it separately to plug the tire properly.
How Much Plug Kit Cost With Tools
It depends on the type, brand, and accessories of the tire plug kit. The cheaper kit can come within a range of $10-$20, and an expensive one could be far more expensive ranging from $30-$50.
Can You Use a Tire Plug Kit With Bicycle, MotorBike, Or ATV Tires
Tire plugs are useable with any other rubber tire, whether it is an ATV, RV, or Motorbikes. Just make sure that the tire is tubeless because tubed tires need dismounting before a puncture is fixed.
