Flat Tire? Three?s the Charm (Tire Repair)
May 26, 2024
For most drivers, at some point you’re going to have a flat tire. Depending on how it was damaged, it may have to be replaced. But sometimes, a repair will do the trick, as long as the puncture isn’t on the sidewall and the hole is smaller than ¼ inch/6.35mm in diameter. Here are the three common ways your tire can be fixed.
One way is to put a plug in the hole. Since most tires are damaged by running over sharp objects such as screws and nails, the small hole from which the air is escaping is on the part of the tire that touches the road. If it’s in the sidewall, it most likely can’t be fixed.
In the plug method, a technician inserets a rubber plug. It is covered with some sticky, gluey stuff, and is pushed into the hole from the outside. That plugs the hole and stays in place, thanks to the glue. Friction from driving heats it up and seals the deal.
Another method is to patch the hole. For this, your tire has to first be taken off the vehicle, then off the rim so the technician can get access to the inside. There, they’ll clean the inside surface around the hole and apply a rubber patch with an adhesive on it. This type of patch works well, and because of the extra steps and complexity, costs more than having your tire plugged.
There’s also a combination of those methods just described, the plug-patch. It is, in essence, a type of patch with glue on it that has a plug sticking out of it. The plug is inserted into the tire from the inside and pulled through the hole from the outside, drawing the attached patch tight against the tire’s inside surface. The last two methods can’t be used if the hole is near another repair or the sidewall.
The good news is if it’s fixed properly, your repaired tire should give you good service.
Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
2017 E. Malone
Sikeston, Missouri 63801
573-472-1139
charliesfastlubesikeston.autotipsblog.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston
![](/images/tuffy/default_news_imgs/2.jpg)
How Tired Are Your Tires? (Tire replacement)
September 1, 2024
Of the things you think about most, your tires are probably pretty far down the list. Thats understandable because todays tires are engineered to do their job without needing you to pay too much attention to them. But they DO wear out, and worn tires can contribute to skidding in bad weather, not... More
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/autonettv.com/media/thumbs/BrakeService_Dave_Susanne_Alan_Shop_Report_v2.jpg)
Brake Service at Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston in Sikeston
August 25, 2024
Brakes really aren't optional equipment for Sikeston drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.A regular brake inspection is on every Missouri driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston, our team will check your brake system and let you know if ... More
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/autonettv.com/media/thumbs/TireRotationBalancing_SusanneTimothy_OX.jpg)
Tire Maintenance in Sikeston
August 18, 2024
With the recent focus in the Sikeston area on improving fuel economy, we've been told how important it is to maintain our tire pressure.Sikeston drivers know that tires wear out, but we want to make them last as long as possible because they're not cheap to replace. In addition to saving gas, pr... More