Are Plugs Bad For Tires?4 Points To Consider

So you’ve plugged a tire or are thinking of doing so, and you’re wondering about the long-term effects on tires of doing this. There are four main ways plugs could potentially be bad for tires, and we will explore each individually. 

Briefly, plugs are not bad for tires from a safety standpoint if they are fitted correctly. 

However, there is far more to consider before feeling confident about using them.

Tire repair kit manufacturers claim that plugs can last up to 7 years, exceeding the length of time at which tires should be on a car or 25000 miles.

However, this is based on their research and depends on tires being properly sealed and installed correctly. There is no independent research that shows similar results. 

So let’s look at whether plugging a tire can be bad for the tire and the bigger picture surrounding it.

Can A Plugged Tire Be Patched  Later?

Despite what tire kit manufacturers say, a rope tire plug is only supposed to be a temporary fix.

Most time, manufacturers state this quite clearly in their literature. 

A more permanent temporary fix is to patch your tire from the inside is a mushroom repair. 

A mushroom repair and a patch require the tire to be removed from the rim.

The good news regarding this is that a tire that has been plugged can also be patched later.

A major downside of plugging a tire yourself is that a tire shop may be concerned about patching a tire that the car owner has previously plugged.

They normally want ownership of the repair process totally and not to come in halfway through a repair and finish it off.  

Some shops may replug the tire for you before patching it, while others may refuse completely.    

The shops that will plug a tire for you will go through the process from the beginning, which would include reaming the hole out, adding cement if necessary, and completing a replug.

As you are probably aware, tires are patched from the inside, so if you wish to do this at home, you will need a way of removing the tire from the steel wheel or the rim to enable a proper repair. 

Many drivers haven’t got the means to do this or don’t want to get this hands-on with their cars. 

Therefore if you are looking to or have plugged your tire and want a patch on it too, it may be worth taking your car directly to a car shop to get a plug and patch all in one go.

That way, you can guarantee they will patch it for you or mushroom plug it from the inside.

Can A Plugged Tire Affect Performace?

As you’re probably aware, tires have load and speed ratings. These ratings are issued by the tire manufacturer and dictate the top speed and weight a car tire can safely withstand.

Mixing Tires With Different Speed Ratings – GUIDE

These ratings assume that your tire is in perfect condition. With a DIY plug, your tire may no longer fit into this category. 

It’s always best to err on the side of caution with speed and load ratings on a repaired tire. 

In reality, there is little chance that you would exceed your tire’s speed rating as speed ratings are way in excess of the legal speed limit. 

Can A Plugged Tire Lose Its Durability?

“A tire repair is only safe if it is carried out properly, which is why it is important to have it done by a professional. If the tire is found to be repairable after examination, the professional will fit the correct bead to the hole and give you a tire that performs as well as it did before the puncture.”

Michelin Tires

A professionally plugged tire will be just as durable as one there hasn’t been repaired. It should be able to withstand temperature differences in winter and summer and also be able to withstand all road conditions, from gravel to badly maintained roads.

However, because a tire plug is made of leather encased in rubber, the leather can dry out, leading to a less tight fit.

Is Plugging A Tire Costly In The Long Run?

Firstly, Did you drive on the tire when it was flat?

Doing this has likely damaged the sidewall. The sidewall needs to be intact as it is the part of the tire that adds structure and keeps a tire from collapsing in on itself.

Secondly, how much tread do you have left on the tire?  

If you only have a few mm, it may be worth getting a new tire fitted instead. A couple of millimeters will only last you a few thousand miles before you have to get it replaced anyway.

Far better to replace it now and save a journey back to the tire shop in a few months’ time.

Many national tire repair or replacement franchises have insurance or warranties that will offer to repair punctured tires free of charge as long as the tread is still within the legal thread threshold.

It’s not unusual not to even realize you have these added on to the purchase price when you bought your tires.

It is always worth checking the paperwork if you still have it to see if you have this insurance or warranty added to the purchase price of the tires.

Most professional tire repair shops will charge between 10 to $20 to patch and plug a tire. This is the cost of repair kits you can buy yourself on Amazon. 

However, unless you can take the tire off yourself and inspect the inside, it is far better to pay a professional car shop to do this rather than buy a kit yourself.

In Conclusion

Tire plugs are not bad for tires, but it is always recommended to remove the tire from the rim and inspect the inside and add a patch too.

Removing the tire from the rim is always recommended so you can inspect it to ensure there is no damage inside.

 If fitted correctly, tire plugs should last as long as the tread on your tire.