Did you ever have a flat tire? That’s one of the most common problems a car driver would experience. Flat tires can be caused by a variety of things including sharp objects, a ripped tire, over-pumping the tires, and many others.
If your flat tire has a hole, one of the things that you could be thinking of doing is to simply plug the hole. While plugging tires is one way to repair a flat tire, it isn’t always a good idea to drive with a plugged tire. Just like using your car to pull a friend out of the mud, it could do more harm than good.
Let’s help you change your mind about driving with a plugged tire. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t.
When you have a flat and call for roadside assistance, they may offer to put a tire plug on your vehicle. However, this repair is only temporary. It is meant to help you be able to drive your vehicle from where you are straight to a repair shop to have the tire properly repaired or replaced.
The problem with plugged tires is that they still have the hole in them. You just jammed something to prevent the air from escaping. However, that plug isn’t as structurally stable as a properly repaired one. With that, you can’t use higher speeds because that plug may not provide the support that a fixed tire would.
A tire plug is not the answer to all your flat tire problems. Although it can temporarily fix your tire, it will only work in certain conditions. First of all, the puncture size should be small. It should not exceed 0.25 inches.
Additionally, the location of the punctured hole is also important. A tire plug can work if a hole is found on the thread of the tire. If the hole is found on the sidewall or the shoulder, then you cannot effectively plug the hole.
Another thing to consider is the angle of the puncture. Ideally, the puncture should be straight. However, if it is at an angle, the plug may not effectively seal off the hole. It is best to carefully analyze the angle of the object that has punctured your tire before removing it and replacing it with a plug.
Another thing that you should consider is the quality of your tire plus its age. If the treads are worn out, you shouldn’t bother plugging it because it is already due for a replacement.
If you are thinking of plugging your tires and driving with them, you should also think about what it does with the manufacturer’s warranty. Why would you risk voiding the warranty in your DIY repair? It is best to have the tire repair done by professionals. It should not void the warranty and would also further improve your safety.
Proper tire repair usually doesn’t just plug the tire. They combine it with another method of repairing tires which are patching. Combining the two procedures will help make sure you could safely use that tire for driving.
Flat tires can certainly ruin your day especially if you don’t have a spare to replace it with. In such cases, calling Nimble Towing Services would be the best solution. With the mobile flat tire service, the team of professionals is always ready to assess and provide a solution to your flat tire problem…
