The Pros And Cons Of Using A Tire Plug For A Flat Tire
Posted on: 1 March 2017
If you have a flat tire, you may be able to salvage the tire. Both plugs and patches can be used to seal up minor holes, preventing you from having to get a new tire. In some cases, a tire store may highly recommend one over the other, based on the location of the hole or the size of the hole that is causing the tire to go flat. In other cases, both will work and the decision is up to you. Learning the pros and cons will help you decide which option may be better for you. Here are a couple of the pros and cons of using a tire plug over a tire patch for repairing a flat tire.
Cons of Using a Tire Plug for a Flat Tire
Plugs are Becoming Obsolete
One of the downsides of tire plugs is that they are slowly becoming obsolete in tire shops. Many tire shops no longer offer them because they can be used in limited situations. And if tire shops do offer the plugs, they strongly recommend that you have the tire plugged and then place a patch on top of that for maximum reinforcement. As such, if you are strictly looking to have a tire plugged by a tire store, you may have trouble finding a tire store to do it.
Plugs Have a Lot of Limitations
The other downside to tire plugs is that they can only be used in limited circumstances. If the hole in your tire is near a side wall or is from a diagonal puncture, a plug cannot be used. A patch can be used far more frequently and with fewer limitations.
Pros of Using a Tire Plug for a Flat Tire
They Are the Cheaper Option
The biggest advantage to tire plugs over tire patches is that they are the cheaper option. Tire plugs often cost less than $10. This makes them a great option for those who have gotten a flat and need the tire repaired cheaply. If money is tight, this may be the perfect option for you.
They Are the Fastest Repair Option
The other benefit to tire plugs is that they are the fastest repair option. A tire plug can be placed in a matter of minutes. In fact, they are placed so quickly that they are the preferred repair method used by tow truck drivers. This allows them to quickly patch a tire and get you off the side of the road and to your destination or a tire store to have your tire thoroughly inspected.
If your tire got a nail in it or has a slow leak, a tire store may be able to fix the problem using either a plug or patch. Taking the time to learn about the pros and cons will help you decide which may be the better choice based on your situation. For more information, contact local professionals like Collier Tire Auto & Truck Repair Center.
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