Among the ways to temporarily patch a car, the plugged tire is the easiest and least time-consuming method.
For this reason, many people love this unique car patch. But not everyone knows how long can you drive on a plugged tire. Ignorance on this matter will inevitably lead to dire consequences.
It negatively affects the health and safety of you and other drivers on the road.
To avoid possible risks, you need to carefully refer to the information I am about to mention in the article below.
Let’s explore some easy tips below:
What Is Plugged Tire?
Plugged tires are one of the most popular methods for quickly fixing punctures that cause flat tires.
These tools allow you to work directly on the part surface. Meanwhile, with other patching methods, we have to remove the tire and check the inside to find where the leak is to fix.
It is also the most apparent advantage to compare plug vs patch tire repair.
You also can have a few skills and tools to follow this method. All you need is a specialized tool kit and a hand pump to re-inflate the tires. And with just a few taps and pulls, the vehicle is ready to move on.
Of course, the plugged tire also has some limitations, such as not being able to patch large tears or maintain long-term stability for the tire. That’s why you need to capture the effective uptime on these patches.
Then come up with effective responses to ensure the safety of yourself and others while on the move.
How Long Can You Drive On A Plugged Tire?
The safest level for move with a plugged tire is 8 miles. Studies have proven that it is the average parameter for most models.
You can still move around longer with these patches. Yet, we also have to bear the risks if we continue to operate the vehicle without taking appropriate action.
Longest distance with plugged tire
These plug-in patches can sometimes hold pressure for more than 25,000 miles. Other reports give similar figures. 25,000 miles is the maximum range where patches can operate normally or have minor problems.
But in reality, only a few products reach such impressive milestones. So the answer to the question is tired plugs are safe long term is usually no.
It would help if you were prepped and ready to take the tire in for repair after 8 miles of operation with the patch.
Main influencing factors
Although the same implementation method, skilled workers always make patches with the correct technique and are sturdier than novices.
How reliable tire plugs? Is it also an essential factor? The more precise and solid the patches are, the more resistant the spot will be to gas leaks.
Plus, cleaning and widening the tear also plays a role in increasing the patch life.
When to Plug Tires?
If the hole is round and the diameter is less than 6mm, you can feel free to use the plug. Small screws or metal will be the leading cause of these failures.
But don’t worry because this is the best case to apply this tire patching method.
So it will take little effort and time to put the tool head in. The patch lifetime will also increase if you apply proper cleaning methods.
Plus, with holes in the tread or product surface, you can still use plugs. For the rest, you must use other methods or replace the tire to keep it safe when traveling.
But the thing is, can a plugged tire blow out?
The answer is, of course, yes. Any plugged tire can be easy to blow out due to some particular cases. And you may have to accept this risk until you get a new one.
When Not To Plug Tires?
It is only sometimes possible to use plugs to patch tires. While these devices are compatible with most cases, there are some exceptions that you should be aware of. Check out this information carefully if you don’t want to get in trouble.
Damage near the sidewall
Never plug a tire near the sidewall. You need to be aware of it before using this tool. The side wall has a relatively thin texture, and there needs to be more space for the plug to be fixed. So you are only wasting your time if you keep trying to patch the tear in this position.
The hole is too big
There are many plug sizes to choose from. But even with the most extensive product, it is still impossible to completely seal the holes that are too large. In this case, you will feel that the instrument is not resting in the puncture. Instead, the tip will tend to fall out no matter how hard we try to push it in.
To avoid falling into a naming situation, you can estimate the tear size first and then compare it with the types of heads you have.
Complex tear
The plug is only suitable for handling small circular tears. So if the problem your tire is having is a long crack or any other shaped damage, it won’t be possible to fix it with a plug.
Does Plugging A Tire Ruin It?
These specialized plugs themselves cannot harm your tires. Manufacturers have calculated to ensure that the tool only seals the hole without straining the surface or damaging the tire.
So even if we only use rudimentary tools to manipulate, we don’t need to worry about it being safe to plug a tire.
After a while, the plugged tire will have problems affecting performance.
These problems come from something other than the types of plugs, as many people mistakenly believe. It is a natural process as the tire gradually expands and expands the space around the patch.
So, the new tire’s ability to hold pressure gradually decreases, rather than these devices destroying the tire.
FAQ’s
How fast can you drive with a plugged tire?
Depending on the condition of the injury to decide, if the impact is small, you can run at a speed of 30>40 km/h (but need to check the tire pressure regularly). In contrast to large or large damage, our experts recommend calling a tow truck or mechanic to ensure your and your family’s safety!
Is plugging a tire a permanent fix?
Plugging will immediately patch the puncture in the tire.
As a result, you can quickly deal with problems related to pressure loss. From there, continue your journey for a certain distance.
Do you need to replace a tire after plugging it?
Plugging is always temporary, and you will need to find a place to replace or repair the tire soon. Remember, it’s never safe to ride with patched tires.
How much does a tire plug cost?
A set of tire plugs is usually very cheap, ranging from 10$ to 20$, depending on the plugging quality. So you don’t have to worry too much about the price issue.
Conclusion
With the knowledge I have imparted through today’s article, I hope you know the correct answer to how long you can drive on a plugged tire.
Also, correctly identify the right circumstances to use these tools, thereby maintaining travel safety on all journeys.
A guy who graduated with honors with 2 college degrees Ferris State University & Austin Peay State University.After finishing school, he specialized in researching and testing tires, rims as well as brakes.Especially he has a love for off-road vehicles…
