When driving with a plugged tire, many questions can race through your mind: Is it safe or can I drive long distance with a plugged tire, and many more. A tire plug is a temporary solution for your vehicle’s puncture.
It is a quick remedy if your tire is punctured by any type of nails, screws, or any small debris and you find yourself in the middle of nowhere without a spare tire. However, your tire will cease to be fully functional in this case.
This intro follows how a plugged tire can put your life in danger, the circumstances when it can be safe to drive on it, and the precautions it requires from the driver.
Knowing the limitations of tire plugs can greatly secure your safety on your way and the lifespan of your vehicle’s tires.
Article Summary
What is A Plugged Tire?
A punctured tread on the outside of a car tire can be plugged. This is a traditional method for repairing a puncture.
When traveling a long distance to get a flat tire repaired or replaced, you should plug it in rather than face the hassle of a flat tire.
A small sticky rubber plug is inserted into a hole outside the tire, effectively sealing the air hole against further air leaks. Removing the debris that caused the puncture is the first step.
Then, the plug is rammed into the hole, widening it so it reams out the inside. After a brief pause to allow the adhesive to ‘set,’ the plug is coated with sealant and rammed into the hole.
Finally, it is trimmed flush or, as some professionals do, the tire is flipped on its side and beveled to create a comfortable surface once installed on the rim.
Once the plug is in, the air is re-pressurized, and you’re good to go. That makes the plugged tire an excellent solution whenever you need to get on the road quickly.
However, a fast and viable solution to a flat tire that sounds, a plugged tire, should be looked at strictly as a temporary fix. For a tire to withstand the considerable forces it is subjected to during a vehicle ride, it must be perfectly formed with consistent pressure across the entire thread.
The integrity of the tread and the inner liner sealing the inflated air area are of the utmost importance for its long term drivability.
Since plugging the tire often leaves the inner liner vulnerable, this is best done by a professional, using an internal patch, or just replacing the tire.
How Long You Can Drive With A Plugged Tire?
It can be dangerous to drive a long way on a tire with a plug if it was not installed by a professional or the tire has been seriously damaged. Here is an analysis of the circumstances and the dangers.
Assessment of the Damage
Location of the Puncture: Plugs should generally be used only for tread area punctures. They should definitely NOT be used on sidewalls or shoulder areas, which are the areas experiencing the most stress from tires. Punctures in these areas should be repaired using a sealant or, at best, a patch.
Size of the Puncture: Plugs are only for tiny holes generally sticks or small nails and screws, less than 1/4 inch in diameter larger punctures or cuts need more substantial repairs or a completely new tire.
Risks of Long Distance Driving On A Plugged Tire
Failure of the Plug: A plug, over a long distance like at highway speeds will fail. If it fails slowly, say a little air loss, it’ll blowout time. But if it fails catastrophically well.
Lower Performance: A plugged tire is not likely to run the car as smoothly as an untouched tire, diminishing performance and/or reliability. This may be especially true when tires must endure outside elements, such as rain or snow.
Wear and Tear: The plug will wear out before the rest of the tire. You’ll rapidly reach that inconvenient point where the plug falls out and has to be replaced. You get uneven wear when the plug deteriorates faster than the rest of the tire.
Safety and Precautions
Inspection: Before you take a long trip, get the tire checked by a professional. They can tell you whether the plug is holding and if the tire is safe for the trip.
Spare Tire: Always keep driving wheels inflated to the specified pressure on the sidewalls, and never remove a plugged tire from service until you have a spare tire.
If the plugged tire is on a driving wheel and fails while in service, the drive will protect your motor if the spare is in operable condition to get you back home.
Routine Inspection: Check the air pressure at regular intervals during your trip. A slow leak might not seem significant, but the tire could get very flat.
Long Term Solutions
Proper Repair: A plug and patch repair from the inside will hold for much longer than a plug alone get it fixed by a professional.
Replacement: It is safe to replace the tire if it has been repaired repeatedly or has worn out too much.
Assessing the Safety of Driving with A Tire Plug
It’s essential to know how safe it is to drive with a tire plug. Tire plug kits are temporary solutions used to quickly fix a puncture in the tread area of a tire so that a driver can continue to drive without immediately replacing the tire.
The quality of the tire plug and whether or not it holds a leak depends on the type of puncture and the quality of installation.
A tire plug is best for the smallest of punctures; think a slight nail through a tire, no more than 1/4 inch across screws are an easy fix. Plugging is inappropriate for larger punctures or damage to the tire’s sidewalls, which are under more structural stress and require more robust repairs.
Second, proper placement concerning the overall structure of a tire is vital. The plug should be centered in the tread, not too close to the tire shoulders or sidewalls.
If the plug is placed too close, it can damage the tire’s structure again and compromise its integrity.
Finally, what you can achieve concerning the longevity of the plug itself depends on what the plug has to deal with after installation. Extreme ambient temperatures, excessive speed, or roughness of the road can expedite a plug’s failure.
From a safety standpoint, though a plug can make for a good temporary fix, it doesn’t restore the tire to its original condition. Because the plugged material is inconsistent with the rest of the tire, the plugged area might not hold up quite well or be quite so durable.
That, in turn, could lead to decreased performance or uneven wear. So, while tire plugs can make for adequate temporary repairs, they are not a permanent fix.
For more permanent safety and performance, you can have your tire professionally repaired or replaced as soon as possible. That will ensure your car is in optimal driving condition, especially if driving more aggressively.
FAQs On Can I Drive Long Distance With A Plugged Tire
Is It Safe To Drive with A Plugged Tire?
With a plug installed correctly, accompanied by a patch, and the sidewall of the tire not being punctured but the tread area itself, driving on a plugged tire can be safe, but for a limited time and not for a long distance or at speeds of 35 mph or above. It is only a temporary fix. A more permanent repair is recommended for driving long distances or at high speeds, or buying another tire is recommended.
How Long Can I Drive On A Plugged Tire?
The length of time depends on several factors, including the age of the tire and the condition of the plug when installed. Some plugs can last thousands of miles, but only if you observe the condition of the tire regularly. The ideal situation is to switch out the plugged tire as soon as possible or repair the puncture with an internal patch and plug.
Can A Plugged Tire Be as Reliable as A New Tire?
No, plugging is a temporary quick fix. The structural integrity of the tire is compromised. This may compromise performance, especially under stress, such as speed or load.
What Should I Do If I Have To Drive On A Plugged Tire?
If you must drive on a plugged tire, make sure to:
1. Regularly check the tire pressure to ensure it is not losing air.
2. Avoid high speeds and heavy vehicle loads.
3. Get the tire inspected by a professional to assess its safety for continued use.
4. If the tire shows any tread wear or loss and continues to lose air, replace it with a spare tire.
Are There Any Alternatives To Plugging A Tire?
Yes, the more capable and lasting way to repair the tire is a patch and plug, where a plug goes inside the tire, and thereafter, the patch goes in the plugged part. This process is far more worth maintaining the tire’s efficiency and durability than just a plug.
Final Words
You could technically drive quite a distance that way, but a plugged tire can potentially fail, so for peace of mind and safety’s sake, you’ll want a more permanent fix or a replacement before you take off on that long drive.
Do what you can to ensure you and your vehicle are ready for long distance travel.
